The Phillies lost ace Zack Wheeler for the rest of the season, taking away their top Cy Young candidate right when they need him most. It’s a brutal blow for a team that’s been one of the NL’s best this year.
Now they’re looking at their options. Aaron Nola could bounce back to his elite form, while Cristopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez, and Jesus Luzardo have been solid all season.
But there’s another possibility that’s got people talking.
Eric Karabell of ESPN thinks the Phillies will turn to their top pitching prospect Andrew Painter for help down the stretch. And he’s predicting it goes about as well as it possibly could.
“The Phillies call up top pitching prospect Andrew Painter on September 7th, and he goes 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA,” Karabell predicts.
That’s the kind of prediction that makes Phillies fans dream about October.
If Painter actually performs like that, it would solve multiple problems at once. The Phillies would have their Wheeler replacement and another right-handed starter for the postseason rotation. With how tight the NL East race has been against the Mets, that kind of boost could be exactly what they need.
Let’s be honest – they need the help. Nola’s been inconsistent this season, and Taijuan Walker isn’t someone you want to rely on in October. The team’s already been active, picking up Walker Buehler and Tim Mayza at the end of August, which tells you everything about how they feel about their current depth.
But here’s the thing about Karabell’s prediction – it’s pretty bold when you look at Painter’s numbers this season.
The 22-year-old hasn’t exactly been dominant in Triple-A. He’s got a 5.21 ERA and a 4-7 record with 106 strikeouts and a 1.46 WHIP in 103.2 innings. Those aren’t the numbers that typically scream “ready for the big leagues.”
That’s what makes this such a dream scenario rather than an expectation. There’s no guarantee Painter even makes his debut this year, let alone performs at that level right away.
But if it happens? The Phillies would suddenly have a young arm who could slot right into their October rotation. And considering how wide open the postseason picture looks this year, that’s the kind of development that could change everything for Philadelphia’s championship hopes.
