Phillies top prospect draws rave reviews from Cole Hamels

Retired starting pitcher Cole Hamels was a part of some fantastic Philadelphia Phillies teams. The left-hander was a member of the 2008 and 2009 clubs that reached the World Series and won the Fall Classic in '08. He knows top prospect Andrew Painter has the potential to be a special player in the majors.

Hamels was a part of many memorable moments in a Phillies uniform. He won the National League Championship Series MVP and World Series MVP awards in 2008. He was a four-time All-Star, three with Philadelphia. He pitched a combined no-hitter on Sept. 1, 2014. The 17th overall pick in the 2002 MLB Draft had quite a memorable outing days before Philly traded him to the Texas Rangers, throwing a no-hitter versus the Chicago Cubs on July 25, 2015.

Recently, Hamels spoke with Painter at spring training in Clearwater. Hamels, a guest instructor, came away impressed by the top prospect. The Phillies hope the right-hander leads their starting rotation for the next several years.

Andrew Painter earned admiration for his work ethic from Cole Hamels

Hamels spoke with Painter following the 21-year-old's bullpen session on Feb. 18. According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Painter asked the former Phillie how to make proper adjustments with a changeup.

"He had a good changeup," Painter said, per Zolecki. "I wanted to pick his brain about that. Grip, different arm slots, stuff like that. It’s a pretty standard grip. I just wanted to see where he was on the seams and stuff like that. It’s been something I’ve been messing around with. I had a little bit of success in the [Arizona] Fall League, but I don’t like the profile of the pitch." 

Painter's appearance in the 2024 Arizona Fall League (AFL) was his first time on a pitching mound in game action since Sept. 16, 2022. He missed two seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Painter won the AFL top pitching award due to his solid performance, per Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia. He allowed four runs and 14 baserunners in 15 2/3 innings, finishing with 18 strikeouts in six starts.

Hamels only had positive things to say following his conversation with Philly's 13th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft.

"He’s very receptive," Hamels said of Painter, per Zolecki. "He knows that he's going to be known for a high-powered fastball. It’s just what he can learn down here to practice before he gets up there. And just understanding the weapons in his arsenal and then how to actually execute it.” 

"He wants to be good," Hamels added. "He just needs to get the experience. He understands that. I like how he goes about his business. He's not trying to go outside of himself to prove to everybody. Sometimes when you get labels and the expectations, you want to show people why they gave it to you all the time. And I think he's going through a very good process in staying within himself to take care of his work."

While he talked about his changeup with Hamels, the youngster is known for his exceptional fastball.

Painter is the MLB Pipeline's No. 8 overall prospect. His success in the AFL is a reminder of how good of a starting pitcher he can be. The native of Pompano Beach, Florida, has had expectations to be great for years.

He received the Baseball America Minor League All-Star and Minor League Pitcher of the Year awards in 2022 following his performance in Double-A with the Reading Fightin Phils. Painter also won the MiLB.com Organizational All-Star award the same year. Painter went 6-2 with a 1.56 ERA in 22 starts between Single-, High- and Double-A.

Painter could be a future successful pitcher for years with the Phillies, just like Hamels.