The Ringer's Philly Special Phillies Spring Storylines That Have Our Attention With Anthony Dabbundo!
Mar 3, 2026
Anthony Dabbundo, a baseball writer and analytics commentator covering the Phillies, unpacks spring-training storylines. They dig into Andrew Painter’s fastball shape and long-term ceiling. Bryson Stott’s potential offensive leap gets attention. They also debate a new ABS challenge rule and how catching strategy will change.
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Painter Fastball Shape Determines Ceiling
- Andrew Painter's fastball shape is the key predictor of his ceiling and long-term projectability, not small-sample spring stats like a clean 20-pitch debut.
- Anthony Dabbundo gave Painter a B-minus after a 20-pitch six-up six-down debut because ride (vertical break) and arm slot remain short of pre-Tommy-John levels.
Stott's Spring Power Could Be Real But Skepticism Stands
- Bryson Stott's spring power to the opposite field and second-half 2024 surge suggest a plausible breakout but long-term evidence is mixed.
- Dabbundo notes improved exit velocity and a mechanical hand change drove an 855 OPS in the second half of 2024.
Harper Interview Reveals Personal Toll
- Matt Gelb's interview revealed Bryce Harper's openness about not smiling more and admitting he might not want his kids to play baseball.
- Sheil Kapadia and Dabbundo interpreted this as a humanizing look into Harper's long, pressurized career and family trade-offs.