The focus this week is all about the MLB trade deadline, understandably. We're all waiting to see what the Philadelphia Phillies end up doing before Thursday's 6:00 p.m. ET deadline, but that shouldn't make us forget about what's going on down in Triple-A Lehigh Valley. With Andrew Painter, the team's No. 1 prospect, on the verge of making his MLB debut, the Phillies have a potential addition to the roster without making a trade.
That is, of course, if Painter can prove that he deserves the call-up to the majors. He has struggled as he adapts to the highest level of minor league baseball and pitching on four days rest. In his first start out of the All-Star break last week, the 22-year-old took a big step toward seeing the mound at Citizens Bank Park.
Andrew Painter's latest start an encouraging sign as he nears MLB debut
Painter's latest start was an encouraging sign that one of the top pitching prospects in baseball (No. 8 per MLB Pipeline) is getting closer to his MLB debut. Facing the Baltimore Orioles' Triple-A team on July 24, Painter went six innings and allowed just one hit — a two-run home run to rehabbing big-leaguer Ryan Mountcastle. Those were the only runs he allowed as he struck out four Norfolk Tides batters while generating nine whiffs on 76 pitches, per Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
First start out of the break for Andrew Painter at Lehigh Valley: 6 IP, 1 H, 2 R/ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 HR (to Orioles 1B Ryan Mountcastle), 76 pitches. Max fastball velo: 98.5 mph. Nine swings and misses (four with his cutter).
— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) July 25, 2025
The only concerning part of the outing was the three walks to just four strikeouts, but his stuff looked good. His four-seam fastball sat 96.6 mph and topped out at 98.5 mph. He used all six of his pitches and generated at least one swing and miss with each offering, getting four of his whiffs with his 90.5 mph cutter.
The expectation at the beginning of the year was that Painter would debut sometime in July. While he has stayed healthy on his journey back from Tommy John surgery, the results haven't been encouraging enough for the Phillies to pull the trigger on a promotion. He now owns a 4.82 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 13 Triple-A starts, with 63 strikeouts and 23 walks in 61 2/3 innings.
Andrew Painter's timeline for Phillies debut looking murky
The team has said that Painter needs to be healthy and performing, and there needs to be an opening in the big league rotation. Last week, Phillies manager Rob Thomson repeated that sentiment, per MLB.com's Paul Casella.
"I’ve always said the whole time that he’s got to be healthy and he’s got to be performing and there’s got to be a spot here," Thomson said, per Casella. "I think he’s going to get to where he’s the normal Andrew Painter. I don’t think he’s quite there yet."
There has certainly been an opening since Aaron Nola went on the IL with an ankle and rib injury. Mick Abel was the first fill-in, and now Taijuan Walker has taken the empty spot. Nola is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment later this week, per MLB.com's David Adler, so Painter's window of opportunity is close to closing.
The Phillies have also repeatedly said that they want Painter pitching in the starting rotation, so any thoughts that they would bring him up in a bullpen role can be thrown out. Although, that will change once the playoffs roll around.
Regardless, the start against the Tides was encouraging. If he starts pitching in the second half like everyone expects him to, Painter could force the Phillies' hand. They'd much rather have him using his limited innings at the big league level than wasting his bullets in the minors.