How Phillies should manage prospect Andrew Painter after winning big award

The 2025 rotation for the Philadelphia Phillies is almost set.

The only thing they have to figure out is who will be the fifth starter.

Will it be Taijuan Walker? Will the Phillies make a trade and make him the fifth starter? The Phillies have plenty of routes they can take.

Andrew Painter could also take the spot.

He has been pitching in the Arizona Fall League for the Desert Dogs, and as the season concluded on Saturday, Painter received a big award.

It was announced on Saturday that Painter had won Pitcher of the Year in the Arizona Fall League.

A month ago, the #Phillies Andrew Painter pitched in a game for the first time since Spring Training 2023.

Today, he was named the Arizona Fall League Pitcher of the Year.

MLBs No.

32 prospect was nearly unhittable (.189 BAA) in the desert: https://t.co/maUiY8mt2e pic.twitter.com/eDsrUwphR3 Through six starts with the Desert Dogs, Painter only allowed 10 hits, four walks and four runs in 15-2/3 innings.

He finished with an ERA of 2.30.

A positive sign for the Phillies is Painter's fastball reached 99 mph and included more sliders to go with his curveball and developing changeup.

Painter was up against some of baseball's top prospects, so this kind of performance is showing lots of promise for the near future.

Painter commented on his performance and what he was using the Arizona Fall League for.

Coming in here, I just wanted to compete and get a feel for my stuff, feel confident going into 25 and walk out healthy, Painter said after his final outing of the fall.

It felt great.

You cant simulate it in bullpens and everything back at the complex.

The adrenaline kicked in and did its part.

Everything felt good, and I feel really good moving forward.

Painter's health should be a top priority for the Phillies.

With him coming off of Tommy John surgery last year, his innings should be monitored.

While he has the talent to be a starting pitcher, the Phillies should start small with Painter and allow him to work his way up.

Sending him down to the minors to begin the season wouldn't be a bad idea.

The Phillies could always call him up later in the season and use him as a bullpen piece.

With the promise that Painter is showing, he'd be a great addition if the Phillies needed him.

Phillies fans have to remember that Painter is only 21 years old, so there's no need to rush him to the majors.

Coming back from a surgery like Tommy John can be very difficult.

Will Painter continue to show promise in spring training and make a push to be a starter? Only time will tell..

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