With the 13th overall pick in the 2021 MLB draft, the Philadelphia Phillies have selected right-handed pitcher Andrew Painter. An elite in-state recruit, Painter committed to play for the Gators in 2022.
With a high-velocity sinker and room to add muscle to his 6-foot-7-inch frame, Painter is a projectable pitcher who has room to get even more powerful. His fastball/changeup mix is one of the best in the 2021 draft class, and at one point, he was considered the top high school pitcher available. Instead, Oklahoma native Jackson Jobe surpassed him and was drafted by the Tigers with the third overall pick.
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Because of how highly he was drafted, there’s almost no chance of Painter making it to the Gators under normal circumstances. Something unusual, like a previously undisclosed injury or a surprise positive test for PEDs would have to pop up for a deal between the two sides not to get done.
Painter was part of a highly-rated recruiting class the Gators assembled, but as it happens in many years, the best players in the batch were always long shots to get to Gainesville.
However, the pairing between Painter and the Phillies may be a non-ideal one. One anonymous source we reached out to expressed concerns that Philadelphia is the wrong team to take the reins on his development.
“The Phillies have proven a strong track record of being able to develop pure stuff, something which Painter already has in spades. But [they] also have a proven track record of failing to develop the command/control of younger arms as they mature, as well as keeping young arms healthy,” they said.
“As a 6’7 and still possibly growing arm, Painter will likely need plenty of help managing his long levers both for repetition and for health. The Phils have had their best success developing slightly more mature and sub 6’4 arms and yet continue to draft as if they were the Rays. Seems to be a frustrating disconnect between what they develop well and who they bring in via the draft.”
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