WORK OF ART

Andrew Painter did things seldom seen from teenage pitchers and is our first-ever Minor League Pitcher of the Year

- J.J. COOPER

When the 2022 season began, righthander Andrew Painter was already viewed as one of the Phillies’ best pitching prospects. Realistically, he was seen as years away from being able to contribute in Philadelphia.

After all, he was a 19-year-old with just six Florida Complex League innings to his name.

His 2022 season has upended those expectations. After a truly remarkable season, Painter ends the year as Baseball America’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year, and one who is much closer to MLB than could have been imagined when the season began.

Even the most talented high school pitchers usually take at least four or five years to make the adjustment from amateur ball to being ready to help a big league club. Generally, they are on a solid development plan if they can successfully navigate one level per year. Injuries will often slow that climb by a year or two as well.

White Sox ace Dylan Cease didn’t reach the majors until his sixth pro season. His dominating 2022 season is his ninth in pro ball. Braves lefthander Max Fried reached the majors in his sixth pro season and didn’t earn a spot in the rotation until his eighth season.