Farm Report: Updates on Phillies top prospects not named Andrew Painter
No one said the Andrew Painter comeback tour would be seamless. The Phillies’ top pitching prospect is taking his lumps at Triple-A, but the big picture remains encouraging — especially if you’re more interested in velocity than ERA.
Painter got shelled for the second straight start on Tuesday night, allowing six runs on eight hits across five innings against Worcester. He struck out just four and even got hit with a balk — his ugliest outing yet in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery.
The stat line might rattle casual fans, but for those watching closely, the fastball averaged 97.2 and topped out at 99 mph.
That’s the real headline and I broke that all down right here…
I want to quickly turn over to the rest of the farm so everyone is on the same page on where we stand as we slowly but surely enter the dog days of summer.
Aidan Miller (SS, No. 2)
Aidan Miller is predictably coming back down to Earth after a strong May. He’s batting just .193 in June for Double-A Reading, though he did drive in three in a win over Harrisburg.
His overall line (.238/.338/.368) shows flashes, and he’s got six homers and 22 stolen bases, but he’s feasting at home and fading on the road. That’s something to watch.
Justin Crawford (OF, No. 3)
Still no power to speak of (just one homer), but Crawford is hitting .349 and leads the International League in hits. He’s also swiped 23 bags.
You have to imagine his days in Triple-A are numbered, especially with Phillies big-leaguers Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas producing very little at the big-league level.
If the Phillies want contact, speed, and chaos on the bases, Crawford’s the answer. I would suggest ignoring anyone on social media who says otherwise.
Eduardo Tait (C, No. 4)
Tait is mashing in Clearwater. The 18-year-old catcher has a .281 average, .503 slugging, and nine home runs — one shy of the league lead. He’s also second in RBIs. At this point, it’s only a matter of time before the J.T. Realmuto succession plan starts heating up.
Dante Nori (OF, No. 6)
The 2023 first-round pick finally broke out with a 4-for-4, 5-RBI day over the weekend. Still, the season numbers are underwhelming (.236/.321/.316), but the speed is there (14 steals in 16 tries).
Maybe he’s turning a corner? Too early to tell or honestly, care.
Gabriel Rincones Jr. (OF, No. 10)
A brutal June (.207 AVG, 2 XBH), and the shine from his strong spring has officially worn off. The overall line isn’t pretty: .211/.331/.372 with seven homers. Still only 24, but needs to start showing something at Triple-A. The spotlight might be unfair, but the Phillies need some pop in the outfield and if anyone is going to provide that on the farm, it must be Rincones, even if it’s coming from the left side of the plate.
Jean Cabrera (SP, No. 11)
A sneaky solid year from Cabrera at Double-A Reading. After another strong start last week (6 IP, 2 ER, 7 K), he’s now got a 3.90 ERA and 54 Ks in 57.2 innings. Batters are hitting just .200 against him.
Don’t be surprised if he joins Painter in Lehigh Valley soon.
Aroon Escobar (3B, No. 13)
The breakout star of the Florida State League. Escobar leads the league in homers (9), has 31 RBIs, a .315 average, and a 1:5 strikeout ratio.
He’s barreling his way toward Double-A and looking like a legit prospect.
Carson Demartini (3B, No. 15)
From zero to hero. Since May 20, Demartini has hit seven home runs and just earned a promotion to Double-A Reading. He’s slashing .379/.438/.759 in June with a 1.197 OPS.
That’s how you make a statement on the farm.
Reminder: Andrew Painter’s stat line might concern you, but don’t panic…
The velocity is back. The pitch count is rising. The Phillies are playing the long game here, and if all goes well, Painter still figures into the mix later this summer — whether as a bullpen weapon or spot starter.
The farm system as a whole is….fine, I guess. Little depth in the outfield behind Crawford, a long jam of infielders, and a rising star behind the plate. It is what it is.
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