11/18/25 : Phillies add three players to 40 man roster

The Phillies have added three minor league players to the 40 man roster in order to protect them from the Rule Five draft. Pitchers Andrew Painter, Alex McFarlane and outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr have had their contracts converted to major league deals.

RH Andrew Painter - 22 years old (23 on 4/10/26) - drafted in 1st round of the 2021 draft from Calvery Christian HS, FL

2025 Stats :  began the year on a slow buildup after recovering from eventual TJ surgery that cost him both the 2023 and 2024 seasons - was activated with Clearwater on 4/11 - appeared in four games (starts) totaling 11.1 IP with a 3.97 ERA - 12 K’s, 1 walk, 0.97 WHIP. Promoted to Lehigh Valley on 5/6 where he finished the season - 22 starts - 106.2 IP, 5.40 ERA, 111 K’s, 46 walks, 1.55 WHIP. Set a new career high in appearances and innings pitched in a season - most importantly got thru the year healthy.

2025 Notes :  he has top of the line major league talent - this season was a struggle for him for the first time in his pro career in regard to results however perseverance was key, he relearned mechanics, approach and mindset - to me the game results were secondary to the learning experience received. From that perspective I think it was an excellent year for him. He will likely be given a chance to compete for a big league starting rotation position in spring camp, when he’s right there’s both outstanding stuff and command precision, last summer those lagged behind, in particular the command - not uncommon for first year back TJ pitchers. He is following his normal off-season training routine and I’m confident we see pre-injury Painter next spring - the reason being is that in his last 2025 start at Lehigh Valley his four seam fastball sat in the 94-98 mph range which is where it was in 2022 prior to the elbow injury. The spin rate on his curve in 2022 was in the 2340 to 2615 RPM range - in the last LHV start it was 2470 to 2791. The slider in 2022 was in the 2465 to 2596 RPM range - this year in the last start it was 2442 to 2760. The changeup was also in similar ranges from 2022 as compared to the last start in 2025 - basically the stuff is back and with Andrew’s work ethic I have true belief that the command will follow just like it did for Mick Abel this past summer after a year of “good struggle growth”.  Folks should never give up on this kind of talent - has the chance to be a special pitcher in the show for a very long time.

RH Alex McFarlane - 24 years old (25 on 6/9/26)  - drafted in 4th round of the 2022 draft from University of Miami

2025 Stats :  began the year with Jersey Shore - 24 appearances (18 starts) posting a 4.72 ERA in 74.1 IP with 74 K’s and 40 walks. Promoted to Reading on 9/2 - made 4 appearances - 5.2 IP, 6.35 ERA, 8 K’s, 3 walks - first full season back from Tommy John surgery - missed the entire 2024 season - totaled 80 IP in 28 games - 82 K’s, 43 walks. Excelled in July - 2.12 ERA, 4 starts - 17 IP, 23 K’s, 7 walks - named the system Pitcher of the Month. Pitched just as well in August - 2.38 ERA in 7 appearances (11.1 IP) - opponents hit just .184 against him.

2025 Notes :  he’s from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Alex had a slow three month start to his season at Jersey Shore in regards to game results but blossomed in July including being the starting part of a no hitter (he went five innings) - in fact he ran off a ten inning no hit, no run streak in which he struck out 14 batters. As an extension of that string he threw 18 consecutive scoreless innings yielding just three hits. He won the July Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the month award. It was then decided to convert him from a starter to a reliever both to limit innings and perhaps provide a projection as to how he might perform in the role in 2026 (with being added to the 40 man roster also in mind). Alex pitched very well and eventually bumped up to Reading. The mix has fully returned - an upper nineties fastball that flashes triple digits, sinker, slider and splitter - the type of stuff that can dominant out of the bullpen. He’s ready to shine in Spring Camp. Will remain as a reliever in 2026 - quickest path to the show. He is participating in Fall High Performance Camp. One of my favorites - bright, energetic and friendly young man who always say hello and loves to talk about baseball, got to see him every week during his rehab stint at the complex in 2024.

Alex’s 2025 season  reflections :  “Hey Steve. I learned a lot this season about how to handle failure and use it to bounce back after bad outings. I plan to work on getting stronger and even more explosive this offseason looking forward to a big year for 2026. Allowing hard work to push me to where I need to be in my career and taking it one day at a time winning each day.”

Gabriel Rincones Jr  - 24 years old (25 on 3/3/26) - drafted - 3rd round of the 2022 draft from Florida Atlantic University

2025 Stats :  LH hitter - RH thrower - played in 119 games - 506 plate appearances with Lehigh Valley - .240/.370/.430 slash line and .800 OPS - 22 doubles, 1 triple, 18 home runs, 73 RBIs, 80 walks, 114 strikeouts, 21 stolen bases.  Defensively played 77 games in right field - .982 fielding pct and 1 game in LF - 1.000 fielding pct.  In his career has played RF in 179 games - .984 fielding pct and LF 44 games - .963 fielding pct. Has 69 doubles, 44 home runs, 165 RBIs, 175 walks and 76 stolen bases in 307 career games.

2025 Notes :  he’s lived in Glenrothes, Scotland and also in Venezuela -  moved to the Tampa area to live with his uncle and play baseball. Graduated from H.B. Plant HS. Originally attended St. Petersburg College for two years (was drafted by the Padres in the 19th round of the 2021 draft) before transferring to Florida Atlantic where he hit 19 home runs and posted 69 RBIs with a .346/.451/.658 slash line and 1.110 OPS in 288 plate appearances in one season, was then drafted by the Phillies. I first met him shortly after he signed with the Phillies in a BP session on Roberts Field - he drove multiple baseballs over the right field fence and some into the tree line before the hill bank that leads up to Route 19. I introduced myself after the session and told him it was a tremendous display, he grinned and said there was more to come, love his confidence. Gabriel is a big fella who’s muscularly built at 6’4”. The ball flies off his bat with easy power - has a “pretty lefty swing” - no wasted motion and direct thru the ball. Has the ability to drive the baseball to all fields. Confident in his abilities, won’t be intimidated by any situation. He’s a solid defender, smart player who is also an excellent base runner. He could have a real chance this spring to make the major league roster and be a lineup regular.

Gabriel’s 2025 reflections :  “This season taught me a lot on how to be a disciplined professional, how to maneuver through ups and downs, and what it means to be the same guy every day. I’m not happy with how my first half of the season went but I’m thankful to Jesus that I was able to learn something from it. I plan on refining my swing, approach vs LHP, keeping my body in shape and staying active until next year. I don’t look that far ahead because no one knows what the future may hold but I’m definitely going to be training hard with the intention to help the big league team next year whether it be from the start or the end of the season. Wherever I’ll be I’m going to be ready.”

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

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