Report: Phillies’ Andrew Painter will join the Arizona Fall League Oct. 7 to Nov. 15

With the minor league season now in the rearview mirror, several of the Philadelphia Phillies’ top prospects are gearing up for the Arizona Fall League, which runs from Oct. 7 to Nov. 15.

The Phillies previously announced that nine players would represent the organization as part of the Glendale Desert Dogs roster, alongside prospects from the St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago White Sox farm systems.

A few notable names highlight the list of Phillies heading to the desert, including shortstop Bryan Rincon, outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr., right-hander Wen-Hui Pan, and right-hander Griff McGarry. While some big names like Justin Crawford and Aiden Miller won’t be making the trip, there’s one major addition that should have Phillies fans buzzing.

According to a report from MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, the organization’s long-sidelined top pitching prospect, Andrew Painter is headed to the Arizona Fall League for a surprise appearance.

Phillies’ Andrew Painter Set to Pitch in Arizona Fall League

The Philadelphia Phillies are sending Andrew Painter to the Arizona Fall League. pic.twitter.com/0OmMtoqi6U

— Milb Central (@milb_central) October 7, 2024

Andrew Painter, after undergoing Tommy John surgery last summer, Painter is returning to the mound for the first time this year and will face live hitters in game action for the first time since being shut down during spring training in 2023.

Andrew Painter, the Phillies’ first-round pick in 2019, was on a fast track to the majors before his surgery. Ranked among MLB’s top 30 prospects by both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America, Painter’s talent is undeniable, and despite missing the past two seasons, he still sits in the top 50 of both rankings for 2024.

According to additional reporting by Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Painter’s velocity has returned to pre-surgery form, with his fastball regularly hitting 95-99 mph. The Phillies have taken a cautious approach with the 21-year-old flamethrower, gradually building his workload with long toss sessions and simulated games as the season wound down.

Can confirm @ToddZolecki’s report that Andrew Painter is going to the Arizona Fall League. He’s built up to two innings so far. Fastball velo is 95-99. Slider is upper 80s- low 90s.

The tentative plan is to have him start with a two inning outing and build up from there.

— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) October 7, 2024

Painter’s health will be crucial to the Phillies’ immediate and long-term future. Few prospects in the system offer the same potential to anchor a major league rotation, and there was even some buzz that he might have made his debut in 2023 had he stayed healthy through spring training.

A strong, healthy performance in the Arizona Fall League could set the stage for Painter to make a serious push for a spot on the big league roster next spring, giving the Phillies a potential ace in the making.

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