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.
Denne historien er fra October 2022-utgaven av Baseball America.
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Denne historien er fra October 2022-utgaven av Baseball America.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
THE SERVICE TIME CONUNDRUM
MLB’s byzantine service time rules cloud rookie status and now PPI eligibility
LUIS TIANT WAS MLB'S MOST SUCCESSFUL CUBAN PITCHER
On a scouting trip to Cuba in 1957, Bobby Avila discovered 16-year-old righthander Luis Tiant on the island's Juvenile League all-star team.
ORGANIZATION REPORT
Outfielder Heston Kjerstad's career has been unique, to say the least.
TOP 10 NL EAST
From the moment Thomas White stepped on a high school mound, he was viewed as the top lefthander available in the 2023 draft.
PREPARATION PAYS OFF
lowa politician J.D. Scholten makes a surprising return to pro ball at age 44
MAKING THE GRADE
Assessing the future value of graduated National League prospects
TOP 10 NL WEST
Even in high school, Bryce Eldridge could hit the ball a mile. The 6-foot-7 righthander could also touch 96 mph off the mound.
Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.
Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.
ROAD BLOCK?
Scholarship expansion puts mid-majors at a major disadvantage on the road to Omaha
ROYALS REVIVAL
A revamped and rejuvenated farm system has Kansas City ready to rebound
