In the year 2014, the Philadelphia Phillies top two prospects were infielders Maikel Franco and J.P. Crawford; now, 10 years later, there are new “sheriffs in town.”

#27 Andrew Painter 

6’7 right handed pitcher (RHP) Andrew Painter is the Philadelphia Phillies number one ranked prospect this year. Painter was drafted in 2021 with the 13th pick in the first round, and he was named Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Pipeline Pitching Prospect of the Year in 2022. 

The RHP was on his way to his Major League call-up when an elbow injury shot him down in 2023. It was later found out that Painter would need Tommy John surgery which will keep him out for the 2024 season too.  

Andrew Painter showcases a 4-pitch arsenal that begins with his mid 90s fastball that can touch triple digits at times. Painter has a low 80s slider that has huge break on it, which makes it a perfect putaway pitch. If that doesn’t put the hitter away though the 20-year old RHP has a upper 70s curveball, and an above average change-up. 

The RHP 2023 began in the A-level of the minors, and ended in AA. At the A-level, Andrew Painter started in 9 games (GS), with 38 innings pitched (IP), 16 walks (BB), 69 strikeouts (K),  a walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) of 0.85, and an earned run average (ERA) of 1.40. 

At the AA level, the 20-year old started in 5 games, with 28 IP, 2 BB, 37 K, a WHIP of 0.95, and an ERA of 2.54. 

Andrew Painter is expected to return to the mound in 2025 where he will be 22-years old and ready to make his MLB debut.  

#49 Mick Abel 

The number two prospect for the Philadelphia Phillies is 22-year old RHP Mick Abel. Abel is a former first round pick in 2020 and has impressive stuff and finesse on his pitches, but control continues to be an issue.

The RHP has a good four pitch mix that consists of a fastball that flirts with triple digits. Abel also showcases a mid 70s curveball and slider, and to end it off the 22-year old has an upper 80s change up. 

He started his 2023 campaign in AA and ended it in AAA. In AA, the RHP started in 22 games, with 108 IP, 62 BB, 126 K, a 1.26 WHIP, and a 4.14 ERA. 

In AAA, Abel started 1 game and pitched in 4.2 innings, walking 3 batters, and striking out 6. This gave the right hander a 1.71 WHIP, and a 3.86 ERA. 

Mick Abel still has some things to refine before he is ready for the big leagues, but he pitched well enough to get a Spring Training Invitation with the Phillies. 

In Spring Training Mick Abel has played in 1 game pitching in 1 inning and striking out 2 batters, and walking 0 batters. This gives the RHP an ERA of 0.00, and a Whip of 0.00 to start his spring.