No Philadelphia Phillies prospect has more eyes on him this fall than right-handed pitcher Andrew Painter, who is pitching in the Arizona Fall League.

Painter missed the entire 2024 season, but he has finally returned to the mound returned to action in the Arizona Fall League, an annual prospect showcase. The right-handed pitcher has quickly caught the attention of people around baseball.

Last week former MLB GM Jim Bowden made a bold prediction that Painter will be the National League Rookie Pitcher of the Year in 2025.

In his first game in Arizona on Oct. 12, Painter tossed two innings, giving up three hits, and two runs, and notched two strikeouts in an Arizona Fall League game.

He pitched for the second time on Thursday night, touching 99.2 mph, giving up zero runs in three innings with three strikeouts and one hut. He threw 32 pitches in all, 26 for strikes.

Painter could have a big role for the Phillies in 2025, as the team looks to find someone to either hold down the No. 5 spot in the rotation or even give them another quality arm at the top or middle of the rotation.

The 6-foot-7 right-hander was the team's first-round draft choice, 13th overall, in the 2021 MLB Draft and is returning from Tommy John surgery back in July of 2024. Since being drafted, Painter is 6-2 with a 1.48 ERA. 0.85 WHIP and has racked up 167 strikeouts in just 109.2 innings pitched.

Top Ten Philly Athletes Age 25 or Younger

Philadelphia has some great young athletes right now, from All-Star Tyrese Maxey to two first-round draft picks on the Eagles Defensive Line (Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter). In honor of the Philly Sports Youth Movement, here is my ranking of the Top Ten Philadelphia Professional Athletes who are 25 years old or younger:

Gallery Credit: Josh Hennig/Townsquare Media