Three Phillies Prospects to Watch for Opening Day 2026
The MLB international signing window is officially open, and all eyes in Philadelphia are on what comes next. The team has recently acquired Brad Keller, Jonathan Bowlan, Kyle Backhus, and Chase Shugart. Other surprising names, such as Harrison Bader and fan-favorite Ranger Suárez, ultimately moved on after their time with Philadelphia ended in free agency. Though trades are ongoing, there are a few players rumored to be top prospects for the Phillies’ 2026 team. Three players from Philadelphia’s structure could see their time in the big leagues.
Aidan Miller
Aidan Miller was first drafted by the Phillies as an amateur in 2023. Since then, he’s moved around between the Reading Fightin Phils, the Surprise Saguaros, and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Miller could be a top prospect for the Phillies’ 2026 season; while some say it’s unlikely he’ll make the 2026 Opening Day roster, he will be participating in spring training alongside the remainder of the Phillies lineup. If he performs well over the next few months, it’s possible Miller could bring some valuable young blood to the team.
Justin Crawford
Also participating in spring training this year is center-fielder Justin Crawford. He’s been in the Phillies farm system since 2022. He has consistently moved up the prospects lists each year. This off-season, Crawford has been working relentlessly to fix concerns with his defense. Given the recent announcement of Bader’s trade to the Giants, the Phillies’ outfield lineup has a substantial gap. If Crawford’s work pays off during spring training, he could be the perfect player to fill it.
Andrew Painter
Most recently a pitcher for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Andrew Painter returns once again to the Phillies’ top prospects list. He was first drafted in 2021. In 2023, Painter tore his UCL and underwent two years of surgery and rehab, so he had to go above and beyond to work hard to get back on the MLB’s radar. However, spring training could be his chance to move into the Phillies’ pitching roster. With Ranger Suárez’s departure, Aaron Nola’s inconsistency, and Zack Wheeler’s recent injury, there’s a good chance that Painter could finally shape up to be exactly what Philadelphia needs this season.
The Philadelphia Phillies’ roster no longer carries the same youthful spark it once did, as key veterans continue to age, battle injuries, or move on through trades. By the time August arrives each season, the team often looks worn down, signaling a growing need for fresh legs and renewed energy. That’s where investing in young talent becomes more than a luxury. It becomes a necessity. Bringing up and developing the next wave of prospects could help reset the Phillies’ identity and restore late-season drive. If given the opportunity, these three prospects have the potential to inject life into the clubhouse and emerge as foundational pieces for the Phillies’ 2026 future.
