Andrew Painter

Andrew Patrick Painter

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 7", Weight 215 lb.
• High School Calvary Christian Academy (Ft. Lauderdale)

• Born April 10, 2003 in Pompano Beach, FL USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Andrew Painter was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies with the 13th pick of the 2021 amateur draft, out of a high school in Fort Lauderdale, FL. At 6' 7", he was a towering presence on the mound and was considered to be someone who would not require a long minor league apprenticeship on his way to the Show, even if two other high school pitchers had been drafted ahead of him in Jackson Jobe and Frank Mozzicato. He had been a member of the USA's U-15 national team in 2018.

He began his pro career the year he was drafted with 4 starts for the FCL Phillies, pitching a total of 6 innings without allowing a run. In 2022, things began in earnest as he went 6-2, 1.56 in 22 starts spread out among three teams and leagues - the Clearwater Threshers of the Florida State League, the Jersey Shore BlueClaws of the South Atlantic League, and the Reading Fightin' Phils of the Eastern League. Making it to AA at 19 and barely a year out of high school was quite a feat in itself, and the fact he held his own at that level against much more experienced competition was another remarkable thing. Overall, he struck out 155 batters in 103 2/3 innings while giving up just 67 hits and 25 walks. He was named the Minor League Pitcher of the Year by Baseball America and the Phillies' minor league Pitcher of the Year by MLB Pipeline. He was also an Eastern League All-Star and a Phillies organizational All-Star.

Following his breakthrough season, there was talk heading into 2023 that he could potentially start the year in the Phillies' starting rotation, especially after he hit 99 mph on the radar gun during a Grapefruit League game. However, he complained of elbow tenderness shortly afterwards and was placed on the injured list on April 5th. He eventually missed the entire season and underwent Tommy John surgery that July. he only returned to action in the Arizona Fall League in 2024.

Further Reading

• Paul Casella: "Painter getting tests after elbow tenderness", mlb.com, March 4, 2024. [1]
• Sam Dykstra: "Painter, Abel, McGarry form Phils' future rotation core", mlb.com, March 15, 2023. [2]
• Jonathan Mayo: "Phils' Painter named Pipeline Pitcher of the Year", mlb.com, October 3, 2022. [3]
• Todd Zolecki: "Teenager Painter in the running for Phillies rotation spot", mlb.com, February 16, 2023. [4]
• Todd Zolecki: "Touching 99 mph, Painter earns widespread praise", mlb.com, March 1, 2023. [5]
• Todd Zolecki: "Painter leaves mark on AFL as comeback begins", mlb.com, November 16, 2024. [6]