Painter averaged a crisp 96.6 mph on his four-seam fastball, and threw 35 of 49 pitches for strikes in a near-flawless second rehab outing in the lower minors, allowing three baserunners over three frames. The 22-year-old is widely regarded as the top pitching prospect in baseball and remains on track to arrive in Philadelphia sometime around midseason.

Painter looked like the top pitching prospect that dominated the Arizona Fall League in his season debut, averaging 98.2 mph on his fastball and hitting triple-digits three separate times in his first minor league outing since returning from Tommy John surgery. He generated nine swinging strikes, threw 37 pitches, and scattered three baserunners. The 22-year-old figures to join Philadelphia’s rotation sometime in July and will make a significant impact for fantasy purposes, even if there’s a bit of a precautionary governor on his workload.

Painter looked extremely impressive in spring training bullpen sessions after a standout performance in the Arizona Fall League. He’s targeting roughly 35 pitches over two innings in his season debut. The 21-year-old top pitching prospect will spent the next few months ramping up in the minors before joining Philadelphia’s rotation sometime in July as the club prioritizes having him ready for the second half and postseason. He’s talented enough to make an immediate impact for fantasy managers as one of the most advanced arms to come through the minors in recent years.

Painter threw 33 pitches during the session and Phillies’ skipper Rob Thomson noted that his “velocity was excellent” and that he “threw a lot of strikes with his off-speed pitches”. They’ll wait and see how he feels in a couple of days before determining the next step in his rehab. The 21-year-old hurler will open the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley once he’s healthy enough to do so but could debut with the big league club at some during the summer.