There is something oddly frustrating related to watching power get micromanaged. Specifically, when the stakes are high and the expectations are higher. Spencer Strider’s quick return after his injury has become a guideline in MLB. However, another young star from the Phillies is stuck in the slow lane, prompting concern related to whether patience has turned into overprotection.
As the prized 22-year-old star of the Phillies inches back with tight pitch limits and cautious outings, fans wonder if the team is doing enough—or simply keeping him back.
The frustration is real and loud. Andrew Painter, the brightest pitching star, is still crawling through recovery phases nearly two years after his Tommy John surgery. However, Braves’ Strider managed to bounce back after just a year and is now throwing gas with major-league outcomes. After returning, he pitched 5.0 innings against the Jays and enabled 2 runs and struck out 5 batters. The star also threw 90 strikes over 5 ⅓ innings. His fastball touched 95.3 mph and reached a high of 97.3 mph. Such a glaring contrast sparked a firestorm.
Pat Egan, a baseball analyst, has provided his thoughts on this and said, “If Andrew Painter was not Andrew Painter, he would be pitching right now. But because he is the Golden Boy, we have got to coddle him.” Yes, he is a “golden boy” for the team because of his exceptional capability, potential and the investment they have made in him. Andrew Painter was drafted 13th overall in 2021 and is viewed as a high-upside star. Last year, Painter did not pitch in the regular season. However, he went to the Arizona Fall League and there he was named pitcher of the year because of his 15.2 innings thrown with a 2.30 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP and a .189 batting average against.
Painter also struck out 18 and walked four and posted a 31 percent miss rate. The hesitation to enable him to ramp up looks less related to medical caution and more related to playing it safe, perhaps too safe.
The Phillies’ approach echoes past controversies, like when the Nationals shut down Stephen Strasburg despite being in playoff contention. Jason Werth called it out then—“the team was terrified to pitch him.” Currently, Phillies fans are seeing history repeat itself, however, with their top prospect stuck in limbo. The worry is not just related to Painter’s health—it is related to whether the team trusts him enough.
Well, if Andrew Painter is being eased into the lineup for his own protection, there is another rising star forcing his way into the interaction, one that is ready and highlighting it every time he takes the field.
Mick Abel keeps knocking on the door while the Phillies’ rotation dilemma deepens
Mick Abel was never predicted to be in the 2025 spotlight, but here he is, putting together the best run of his young career. After his sparkling MLB debut against the Pirates, where he tied a 78-year-old franchise record with nine strikeouts, the 23-year-old has gone right back to Triple-A and dispatched consistently dominant outings. Over his last seven starts, he has recorded a 1.08 ERA with 50 strikeouts in just under 42 innings, allowing mostly weak contact and demonstrating improved command.
Despite still working through some walk issues, Abel’s fastball command has taken a major leap, often sitting at 97.3 mph with increased confidence. That pitch set the tone in his debut, and it has assisted him to navigate Triple-A lineups with grace. Rob Thomson praised Abel’s mindset after returning to the minors, noting that many pitchers suffer a drop-off post-debut, but Abel stayed in place, a sign of his maturing mental game. With Aaron Nola’s return timeline still opaque and Taijuan Walker struggling to stay afloat, Abel might be pitching too well to pass over.
The Phillies counter a familiar conundrum: ride the veteran and risk lump, or lean into the upside of youth. Abel’s presence offers them an immediate alternative with serious upside. Even if he is not subduing like Strider, his steady growth and recent consistency are building pressure. Thomson himself admitted, “It helps because you know you have got Painter coming and now you have got this other guy who showed it on a pretty big stage.” It is now a matter of when, not if, Abel gets another blast to stick in the rotation and potentially force a long-term change.
Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images
The Phillies can not afford to counter while young arms like Mick Abel prove they are ready for the next step. With Andrew Painter stuck in neutral and the rotation in fluctuation, it is time to reward momentum over hesitation. If the team truly wants to compete, bold decisions, not caution, will lead the way.
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