Phillies Andrew Painter makes long-awaited return to game action NBC Sports Philadelphia [Video]

Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter made his long-awaited return to game action on Saturday afternoon, throwing 29 pitches in a two-inning start in the Arizona Fall League.

The 21-year-old reached triple-digits with his fastball, allowing two runs and striking out a pair.

Painter’s first pitch was 98 mph and he hit 100 multiple times in the opening frame, popping up Mets veteran Jeff McNeil and striking out Giants first-round pick Bryce Eldridge. McNeil is using the AFL, an offseason league owned by MLB featuring many top prospects, to rehab a wrist injury in hopes of joining the Mets’ NLCS roster.

Painter was taken deep to begin his second inning by left-handed-hitting Tigers catcher/first baseman Josue Briceño. He walked the next batter on four pitches and gave up a single, erased them on a double-play ball and allowed a two-out double before striking out the final batter he faced.

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