The Philadelphia Phillies appear to be getting everything they hoped for and more from rookies Andrew Painter and Justin Crawford, according to Matt Sullivan’s April 2, 2026 report.
After sticking with a mostly unchanged roster since their 2022 World Series run, the Phillies made a few notable tweaks this season. The addition of Adolis GarcÃa has helped, but it’s the arrival of top prospects Painter and Crawford that marks the biggest shift from last year.
As Todd Zolecki of MLB.com observed, the early signs from both newcomers have been extremely positive. Even though only a week has passed, the Phillies are already seeing the exact impact they hoped for when calling them up.
Early Boost from Crawford and Painter
Zolecki noted that even with the team’s slow overall start, the two rookies have injected much-needed energy. The Phillies don’t need them to take over the season, but their strong first impressions show they’re more than capable of contributing immediately.
Through six games, Crawford has already started five, impressing at the plate with a .412 average. His debut featured a hit on the very first MLB pitch he faced, and he later delivered a walk-off during the opening homestand. With a .915 OPS and better-than-expected defense in center field, Crawford has quickly become exactly what the Phillies needed.
Painter made one start in his MLB debut, throwing 5.1 innings against the Washington Nationals, allowing just one run and striking out eight. His early 1.69 ERA and 0.94 WHIP are especially encouraging given the uncertainty surrounding the rotation behind Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo.
Strong Early Returns
It may only be week one, but both rookies have given the Phillies every reason to feel confident in their development. If this early performance continues, their promotions will look even more like the right move.
