Dombrowski Outlines Plans for Andrew Painter in 2025

Plans are in place for the Major League Baseball debut of Philadelphia Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter during the 2025 MLB regular season. Don’t get too excited Phillies fans, Painter’s impending debut likely won’t happen until July at the earliest.

During media availability earlier this week, President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski outlined the plans for the Phils’ prized flamethrower.

“He’ll throw, but we do not plan on pitching him in spring training. We’re going to push the innings back. Andrew understands the plan. We think it’s a good plan. He’ll build up at some point through the minors. He’ll have to build up some extended program. Some of it in the minors but we’re going to save a lot of his innings until we get to July-ish for the Big-League level.”

• Dave Dombrowski on plans for Andrew Painter

There’s your big time 2025 MLB trade deadline “acquisition” for the Fightins!

I kid, maybe.

It should come as no surprise the Phillies are going to take their time with Painter despite his incredible 2024 Arizona Fall League season. In his first game action since 2023 Tommy John surgery, Painter was lights out in the 2024 AFL going 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA and 0.89 WHIP for the Glendale Desert Dogs. In 15-⅔ innings of work, Painter held opponents to a .189 BAA and K’d 18 against four walks. Painter was named the 2024 AFL Pitcher of the Year and also earned All-AFL honors.

Aced the fall pic.twitter.com/o7u7r106a0

— Phillies Player Development (@PhilsPlayerDev) November 17, 2024

So, barring any setbacks, the Phillies faithful will get to see Painter on the mound at The Bank in 2025 but they will need to make patience part of their New Year’s Resolutions.