The Philadelphia Phillies are gearing up for an exciting season, and all eyes are on their top prospect, Andrew Painter. Expected to join the starting rotation, Painter is generating buzz, and for good reason. Phillies' catcher JT Realmuto, a seasoned veteran at 34, has been singing Painter's praises after catching one of his bullpen sessions.
Realmuto didn't hold back, drawing comparisons between Painter and the Phillies' ace, Zack Wheeler. "He looks great," Realmuto remarked.
"I caught his bullpen yesterday. Shoot, I want to say it was 98, 99.
“He looks great. I caught his bullpen yesterday. Shoot, I want to say it was 98, 99. It’s just easy. It doesn’t look like he’s throwing max effort. It’s still coming out that firm…
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) February 18, 2026
He is kind of like Wheeler. His stuff is so elite, and he’s still able to throw the ball on the… pic.twitter.com/5dwSWV8a5O
It's just easy. It doesn't look like he's throwing max effort.
It's still coming out that firm… He is kind of like Wheeler. His stuff is so elite, and he's still able to throw the ball on the edges."
Painter's journey to the majors hit a bump when an elbow injury in 2023 led to Tommy John surgery, delaying his debut. Initially projected for 2025, he's now eyeing a spot in the 2026 rotation. Over four seasons in the minors, Painter has posted a solid 3.44 ERA and a 1.195 WHIP, with 290 strikeouts and a 52.4% winning percentage.
As spring training unfolds, Painter is competing for the fourth or fifth spot in the rotation. The competition is stiff, with Taijuan Walker also in the mix, but Painter's talent makes him a strong contender for the fifth spot behind Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola, and Zack Wheeler.
The Phillies are set to kick off their spring training games on February 21 against the Toronto Blue Jays. This will be Painter's chance to showcase his skills and make a compelling case for a spot in the starting lineup. It's an exciting time for Phillies fans, as Painter's potential could be a game-changer for the team's future.