MLB spring training is officially here, offering Philadelphia Phillies fans an early look at the 2025 roster. Rob Thomson’s club is looking to bounce back this season after being unceremoniously dumped by the New York Mets during the Division Series despite finishing ahead of the NL East rivals in the regular-season race.
Former World Series MVP Cole Hamels — who’s a special advisor to baseball operations with the Phillies — has been in Clearwater, FL to help the team prepare for the upcoming season. While a handful of players have likely impressed Hamels and Thomson’s staff, one top prospect has caught the former ace’s attention the most.
Tuesday marked Hamels’ final day as a guest spring training instructor. Once the final session wrapped up, the ex-2002 first-rounder told Phillies Nation’s Destiny Lugardo that he was incredibly impressed by top pitching prospect Andrew Painter’s willingness to listen and take advice.
“I think (Painter’s) very receptive. He knows that he’s gonna be known for a high-powering fastball,” Hamels said. 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.”
Cole Hamels spent his last day of his first trip to Phillies camp as a guest instructor talking pitch grips with Andrew Painter.
“I like how he goes about his business. He’s not trying to go outside of himself to prove to everybody.”
Cole Hamels spent his last day of his first trip to Phillies camp as a guest instructor talking pitch grips with Andrew Painter.
"I like how he goes about his business. He's not trying to go outside of himself to prove to everybody." https://t.co/QtsbJc9bQU
— Destiny Lugardo (@destiny_lugardo) February 19, 2025
Painter, 21, has been in the Phillies’ organization since he was drafted 13th overall in 2021 and is currently the No. 9-ranked MLB prospect on Baseball America’s pre-2025 list. Needless to say, expectations are high for him this year.
Unfortunately, Phillies fans haven’t seen much of Painter in the last two seasons. The Pompano Beach, FL native suffered a UCL injury during spring training two years ago and was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery four months later, sidelining him for all of 2023 and the majority of the 2024 season.
Hard work and non-stop rehabbing led to Painter being cleared to return to action in November, allowing him to participate in the Arizona Fall League. The 6-foot-7 righty displayed glimpses of his potential as he went 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA and 0.894 WHIP while striking out 18 matters in 15 2/3 innings across six starts.
Not only is his never-give-up attitude helping him challenge for a Phillies roster spot, but it’s a big reason why Hamels was impressed by Painter this week.
“I think you can definitely tell that he wants to be good. He just needs to get the experience and he understands that,” Hamels said. “I like how he goes about his business. He’s not trying to go outside of himself to prove to everybody… I think he’s going through a very good process in staying within himself to take care of his work.”
Although Painter has created some spring training buzz, Phillies fans will likely have to wait a few more months before he makes his MLB debut. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is willing to wait until “anywhere from June through August” to promote him to the big club, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Corey Seidman.
Fortunately, Philadelphia’s outlook is promising even with Painter set to start the season in the minors. The Phillies will head into the first spring training games tied for the fourth-best 2025 World Series odds (+1100) on FanDuel Sportsbook.
