Rob Thomson Provides Update on Top Pitching Prospect Andrew Painter

Philadelphia Phillies' prized pitching prospect Andrew Painter is about to make his first start of the 2025 season. The No. 13 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft is one step closer to finally making his big league debut.

What Rob Thomson Said About Painter

According to Phillies manager Rob Thomson, speaking to reporters before Sunday's matchup with the Dodgers, Painter will start in Low-A Clearwater on Friday, with the goal for him to throw around once a week. He threw 33 pitches during a live bullpen session on Friday and came up feeling good, per Thomson.

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Andrew Painter Injury Timeline

This is the first time the 21-year-old will pitch in a minor league game since 2022, when he was promoted to Double-A Reading. Across two minor league stops, Painter excelled, going 6-2 with a 1.56 ERA and 155 strikeouts in 103.2 innings pitched.

Painter was with the Phillies during the 2023 Spring, and even made a Grapefruit League start against Baltimore. After that game, he experienced right elbow tenderness, and went throw a series of tests and throwing programs before finally undergoing Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss the entire 2024 season.

He did throw during the Arizona Fall League season in 2024 and was highly impressive with a 2.30 ERA and 18 strikeouts, and just four walks across 15.2 innings pitched (six starts).

When Could Painter Join the Phillies?

As for his 2025 big picture, nothing has changed; the timeline still appears that he will join the Phillies sometime this summer, like mid-July.