The Philadelphia Phillies have managed to keep themselves in the National League East race despite a rocky start to the 2026 MLB season. Despite Saturday’s loss against the Chicago White Sox, the Phillies currently hold a record of 34-30, and they have climbed all the way back to above .500 after a brutal 9-19 start to the season. The opening weeks of the season ultimately led to the firing of manager Rob Thomson, and interim manager Don Mattingly has done a fantastic job of turning the Phillies’ season around.
Even during their remarkable turnaround under new management, the Phillies offense has struggled to generate consistent production. Instead, their elite starting rotation and bullpen have been the primary forces that worked to stabilize the club.
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Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Andrew Painter (76) © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
However, one member of the Philadelphia rotation continues to face scrutiny after a challenging start to his MLB career. Rookie right-hander and top prospect Andrew Painter entered the season with significant expectations after earning a spot in Philadelphia’s major league rotation.
Drafted 13th overall by the Phillies in the 2021 MLB Draft, the 23-year-old has struggled since making his major league debut in March this season. Following another difficult outing against the White Sox on Saturday, questions have begun to emerge regarding whether he would benefit from additional development time in Triple-A.
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Saturday, “Hittin’ Season” podcast host John Stolnis shared an assessment of Painter’s struggles.
“Honestly, Andrew Painter never really earned his spot in the big league rotation. He was not at all good in the minors last year. He got it based on reputation and expectation. They should send him down until he refines his pitch arsenal and figures out how to use his fastball more effectively,” Stolnis shared on X.
Entering Saturday’s start, Painter owned a 5.24 ERA and 1.52 WHIP, while opponents are batting .302 against him. Against the White Sox on Saturday, Painter allowed eight hits, two home runs, and six earned runs while only recording four strikeouts in 4 ⅔ innings.
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Despite the criticism, Painter remains an exceptionally talented young pitcher, but balancing long-term development with immediate results can be difficult for contending teams. If Painter’s struggles continue, the Phillies may eventually need to determine whether additional time at Triple-A would better serve both the young right-hander and the organization.
Whether Philadelphia allows Painter to work through his growing pains at a major league level or sends him back to Triple-A, the organization will be tasked with making a significant developmental decision this season.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.