Philadelphia Phillies Top Prospect Likely Headed For Tommy John Surgery

The Philadelphia Phillies received devastating news on on Wednesday as it was revealed that top prospect Andrew Painter has been recommended to get Tommy John surgery.

From a Phillies press release:

"Right-handed pitcher Andrew Painter has been undergoing conservative management for a right elbow partial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury since March 2, 2023. While he was able to return to throwing bullpens and follow up imaging has shown internal healing in his elbow, over the last few weeks, he continues to symptomatic upon examination. Considering the timing of the season and that Painter is still experiencing symptoms, the Phillies medical staff has recommended he undergo a right elbow UCL construction with ulnar nerve transposition surgery.

Painter has a surgical consultation with Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday, July 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, Calif."

Phillies recommend Tommy John surgery for Andrew Painter. pic.twitter.com/QFRymJIvId
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 19, 2023

That's devastating news for the Phillies, who wont get to use Painter for the stretch this year, and likely most of 2024 as well.

It's also devastating for Painter, who will miss out on two years of development essentially because of the desire to avoid surgery all along.

He's the No. 8 prospect in the sport and was selected No. 13 overall in the 2021 draft.

The following comes from his prospect profile on MLB.com:

Painter has become one of the best pitching prospects in the game thanks to his combination of his size (6-foot-7), stuff and command. He has a four-pitch mix, with three of them having the potential to be plus offerings. It starts with a fastball that now touches triple digits and was averaging over 96 mph even at the end of his first full season, and he can sink a two-seamer as well as elevate a four-seamer with good spin rates up in the zone to miss bats. His slider has become his best secondary offering, a low-80s, high-spin pitch with a ton of break. He can fold in an upper-70s curve and had an above-average changeup that took a nice step forward during his ascent in 2022.

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