The Phillies confirmed their list of prospects headed to big league camp on January 14. Among the Spring Training invites included top pitching prospect Andrew Painter, as well as high-end bats Justin Crawford and Aidan Miller.
For Andrew Painter, this will be his second go-around at big league camp. Painter did extremely well in his first (2023), as he threw two strong innings and touched 99 MPH with his four-seamer. However, an elbow problem shut Painter down and he ultimately needed Tommy John later that summer.
Painter returned to pro action in the Arizona Fall League this past November and was excellent. The right-hander struck out 18 over 15.2 IP, along with a .89 WHIP and the third-best ERA (2.30) among qualified pitchers. And, his velocity was impressive, as well.
The 21-year-old finished 2022 in Double-A. Given he missed two full regular seasons, it’s likely his innings will be heavily controlled in 2025, something Dave Dombrowski hinted at late in 2024.
Philadelphia’s first-round picks from 2022 (Justin Crawford) and 2023 (Aidan Miller) will also start 2025 with the Phillies’ big league camp.
Crawford looks a lot like his father, Carl Crawford, in terms of production. Last season, the 21-year-old hit .313/.360/.444 with nine home runs and 42 stolen bases between High-A and Double-A.
He’s an electric prospect who’s hit-over-power; a short swing with fringe-average power. And if he continues on the trajectory he’s been on, Crawford may very well be the Phillies’ center fielder of the future.
As for Aidan Miller, the 20-year-old hit 11 home runs and 45 extra-base hits last season, half of which he spent as a 19-year-old. Miller finished 2024 at Double-A and as of now, may very well be a more impactful prospect than Crawford.
Additional names heading to the MLB side of 2025 Spring Training are Matt Kroon, Gabriel Rincones Jr., Otto Kemp, Griff McGarry, Tristan Garnett, and Carson Taylor.
Kemp had a very good 2024, as the undrafted free agent posted a .881 OPS and finished last season in Triple-A.
McGarry, a former top pitching prospect, struck out 15 over 12 innings in the Arizona Fall League this past fall. However, he walked 11, as well, continuing a trend of poor command from the right-handed. The Phillies prospect was moved to the bullpen last year.
Philadelphia is one of several teams that’ve confirmed their non-roster prospect invitees for Spring Training. The Royals (January 10) and Guardians (January 14) previously announced their invites.