Andrew Painter is a top prospect in the Phillies organization.(Cheryl Pursell)

Top prospect Andrew Painter was one of three Phillies minor leaguers added to the organization’s 40-man roster on Tuesday to protect them from next month’s Rule 5 draft.

Painter, fellow pitcher Alex McFarlane and outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. were all placed on the 40-man roster for the first time in their careers, preventing them from being selected by another team when the Rule 5 draft takes place on Dec. 10 during Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla. Players taken in the Rule 5 draft must remain on their new club’s big-league roster for the entire next season or else they must be placed on waivers and offered back to their original team if they go unclaimed.

Painter, a 2021 first-round pick in the amateur draft, had a 5.26 ERA in 26 minor-league starts in 2025 as he made his return to action from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in 2023. The Phillies planned for the 6-foot-7 right-hander to contribute in the majors by the summer if all went well, but Painter’s season did not go perfectly to plan. He struggled with his control, and he was inconsistent. Still, he’s entering his age-23 season and has plenty of upside. But Painter will need to display some more of the traits that made him such an exciting prospect before he hurt his elbow in order to reach his full potential. He should have an opportunity to pitch in Philadelphia at some point in 2026.

McFarlane, who also missed the 2024 season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, had a 4.84 ERA in 28 outings between High-A and Double-A. The 24-year-old was used out of the bullpen at the end of the season with Reading and has high-strikeout capabilities.

The 24-year-old Rincones spent the season in Triple-A and hit 18 home runs in 119 games. He has power and can produce against right-handed pitchers, but he batted only .107 with zero extra-base hits in 65 plate appearances against lefties. Rincones could be helpful for Philadelphia’s outfield depth or even in a platoon role if he starts next year strong.

After making these moves, the Phillies now have 33 players on their 40-man roster.