Andrew Painter dominates Arizona Fall League, wins Pitcher of the Year

After two years away from competitive baseball following Tommy John surgery, Andrew Painter wasn’t supposed to wow anyone in the Arizona Fall League. The Phillies simply wanted him to show up, stay healthy, get some innings under his belt, and build toward 2025.

Andrew Painter didn’t just meet expectations—he absolutely dominated the AFL, walking away with Pitcher of the Year honors in the process.

Andrew Painter: Arizona Fall League Pitcher of the Year

A month ago, the #Phillies’ Andrew Painter pitched in a game for the first time since Spring Training 2023. Today, he was named the Arizona Fall League Pitcher of the Year.

MLB’s No. 32 prospect was nearly unhittable (.189 BAA) in the desert: https://t.co/maUiY8mt2e pic.twitter.com/eDsrUwphR3

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) November 17, 2024

In 15 2/3 innings, the 21-year-old put up elite numbers—a 2.30 ERA, to go along with a .189 opponents’ batting average, and a microscopic 0.89 WHIP. Painter’s strikeout-to-walk ratio was a cool 18-to-4. That’s 10.34 K/9 with just 2.30 BB/9. As for his efficiency, Painter led the league by averaging just 13.98 pitches per inning.

For a guy who hasn’t faced live hitters in years, he pitched like he never missed a beat.

Andrew Painter: 2024 Arizona Fall League Pitcher of the Year:

• 15.2 IP | 10 H | 4 R | 4 BB | 18 K
• 2.30 ERA | 0.89 WHIP | .189 BAA
• 10.34 K/9 | 2.30 BB/9 | 68% of pitches for strikes

Painter’s command wasn’t just good—it was surgical. He threw 68% of his pitches for strikes and racked up a 31% swing-and-miss rate. But it wasn’t just about control; Painter’s pitch mix had hitters spinning.

His slider, a relatively new addition to his arsenal, was pure filth. The pitch landed for strikes 81% of the time and left batters flailing with a 48% whiff rate. His curveball wasn’t far behind, boasting a 71% strike rate and a 44% miss rate.

Even his changeup—a pitch that’s notoriously tough for young pitchers—came along nicely as the fall progressed. For someone easing back into competitive action, Painter’s ability to throw so many effective pitches is nothing short of remarkable.

The Phillies have every reason to be excited about Painter’s future. Team president Dave Dombrowski has hinted that the right-hander could make his MLB debut in 2025, though Painter himself is staying grounded, focused on his progress.

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The Phillies will likely manage his workload carefully—expect him to throw about 100 innings between Triple-A and the majors next season—but his AFL performance shows he’s ready to take the next step.

While the timeline for his big-league debut is still up in the air, there’s little doubt Painter is back to being the electric prospect who raced to Double-A in his first full season. His Arizona Fall League performance wasn’t just a comeback story—it was a statement.

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