Phillies’ top two prospects Abel, Painter dominate in Double-A debuts

Andrew Painter (left) and Mick Abel (right) are the two top prospects in the Phillies organization. (Cheryl Pursell)

The top two prospects in the Philadelphia Phillies system made their Double-A debuts this past weekend, dominating on the mound in their first taste of the upper minor leagues.

Right-handers Mick Abel and Andrew Painter each struck out eight batters over six innings in their first appearance for Reading as the Fightin Phils defeated Portland on Saturday and Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium, continuing a season that’s cemented the pair of former first-round draft picks as some of the better starting pitching prospects in baseball.

Abel took the ball on Saturday, allowing only two runs in six strong in a 4-3 victory. The Sea Dogs did hit two home runs off the 21-year-old, but he only surrendered four hits total as he carved the opposing lineup.

On Sunday, Painter made his first start in Baseballtown, tossing six shutout innings as the Fightins blanked Portland 8-0. The 19-year-old gave up only three hits and walked none while continuing a 26-inning scoreless streak in the minors.

Both pitchers have found success as they’ve rose through system this year, with Abel starting the year at High-A Jersey Shore and Painter starting at Low-A Clearwater and joining the BlueClaws June. Abel now has a 3.94 ERA in 19 starts this season; Painter has 1.11 ERA in 18 starts, proving himself as one of the premier young pitching prospects.

In Reading, the two join right-hander Griff McGarry, another promising pitching prospect, to help form a rotation that shows the potential of what could be the future in Philadelphia.