Philadelphia Phillies Blown Away With Star Teenager's Maturity in Spring Training

Philadelphia Phillies top prospect Andrew Painter surrendered a mammoth home run to Kyle Schwarber during a workout in Clearwater, Fla.

And Schwarber was still blown away with the 19-year-old’s talent and maturity.

“He’s smiling when I step in, then I step in and he’s locked in, it’s gone,” Schwarber told reporters. “That’s impressive. I was in college when I was 19. I don’t think I was that poised when I was in college. He’s out and making sure he gets to know everyone. He’s wanting to get better. He’s asking good questions about pitch shapes and what did I see in that at-bat?

“Really impressed by the pitcher, but also the way he’s handling himself in the camp, too. It’s been A-plus.”

Painter, the No. 6-ranked overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, could be the first teenager to start in the big leagues since 2016, and the first teenager to start for the Phillies since ‘80.

Painter’s fastball reached 99 miles per hour and he could make his Grapefruit League debut March 2 against Boston in Fort Myers.

“All of his stuff is big league stuff,” said catcher Garrett Stubbs. “Obviously, this is one day in a live (BP) on a back field, so to say anything other than that is a stretch. But I think that’s about as good as it gets for a live, especially this early on in camp. Just the stuff and the command. I’m sure he was probably feeling he could have commanded it a little better, but stuff-wise, it was electric.”

If Painter continues down this path, don't be shocked to see him pitching in Citizens Bank Park sooner rather than later.

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