With the 13th overall pick the Phillies take HS RHP Andrew Painter. Painter is a 6’7″ 18 year old who was considered to be the top HS pitcher in the draft coming into the spring. Painter has been mocked to the Phillies by multiple sources, and with the other names linked to them off the board it made sense…except that widely considered top 5 pick HS SS Khalil Watson was still on the board. We will find out how far Watson falls (EDIT: #16 Miami) and what his bonus demands were, but this pick will be linked there going forward.
But for Painter, he is a 6’7″ RHP with room for a bit more velocity. He can already get it up to 97 and there might be room for more. He has feel for spin (something the Phillies value), and can repeat he delivery well for someone of his size. Most sites have his velocity in the 94-97 range. The changeup gets plus grades from many, with a slider and curveball that get above average grades from others. It gives a lot of Mick Abel vibes, though Abel’s slider is more of an projectable out weapon than anything on Painter’s palette. There isn’t a ton to critique here, but also not a skill to hang a hat on.
He also was teammates with Joe Girardi’s son, which probably did not hurt. He was rated a bit lower than 13 on most boards, so there is a chance the Phillies get this a bit underslot. Overall it is a good pick in the context of things we know and where the Phillies have valued, there just is a looming question mark on the board we may never know.