The Philadelphia Phillies are focusing on adding younger talent to their roster as the 2026 season approaches. MLB Pipeline’s recently released Top 100 Prospects list features three players from the Phillies organization: infielder Aidan Miller at No. 23, right-handed pitcher Andrew Painter at No. 28, and outfielder Justin Crawford at No. 53.
Although several teams had more prospects included in the rankings—Seattle led with seven—Philadelphia is among the clubs with multiple players considered close to being Major League-ready.
Crawford, age 22, will report to camp next month as a leading candidate for the starting center fielder position. In his previous season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, he posted a .334 batting average, hit 23 doubles, four triples, seven home runs, drove in 47 runs, stole 46 bases and recorded an .863 OPS. Crawford was expected to receive a call-up late last season before the Phillies acquired Harrison Bader at the trade deadline.
“I really believe that he could have played for us last year at some point,” said Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations.
Dombrowski added: “I think there will be some youthful enthusiasm with a guy like Crawford coming on board … And not that there’s not enthusiasm with the rest of the guys. But there’s always — with those young guys — a different feeling with someone like Painter potentially coming on board, and Miller’s not far behind. … So we need to mesh those young players in.”
Manager Rob Thomson also expressed confidence in Crawford’s readiness: “From everybody I’ve talked to, the makeup is really good, and the intangibles are really good,” Thomson said. “So if he makes the club, we’re going to let him go, and we’re going to let him play. And hopefully he has some success — and we think he’s going to.”
Painter also remains a central figure in Philadelphia’s plans for youth development. The former first-round draft pick underwent Tommy John surgery after suffering an elbow injury during Spring Training in 2023 and missed both that season and all of 2024 while recovering. He returned during the Arizona Fall League in late 2024 and went undefeated over six starts with a 2.30 ERA.
While Painter initially struggled upon returning to minor league play in 2025—posting a 5.40 ERA over 22 starts—the team valued his ability to complete a healthy season.
“Andrew had a solid year,” Dombrowski said about Painter’s performance last year. “I mean, he went out there every five days, basically all year long, he pitched over 100 innings. Felt good at the end of the year. His stuff was still good, his command wasn’t quite as good.
“But we thought it was a very solid season for him … and be in a position where we think he’ll come to camp next year and be in a position where he can compete for a spot. So that’s really an encouraging scenario for him.”
With rotation uncertainties—including Zack Wheeler’s status following recent surgery—the team expects opportunities for prospects like Painter this spring.
Aidan Miller is also seen as likely contributor if additional depth is needed during the upcoming campaign.
It appears that Philadelphia will continue its approach of blending experienced veterans with promising young talent throughout spring training and into Opening Day against Texas at Citizens Bank Park.
