Phillies pitching prospect Andrew Painter has begun his professional career in spectacular fashion. The 6-7, power-armed right-hander has struck out 42 of the 64 batters he has faced in seven outings in the low minors over this season and last.
Painter, the Phillies' top pick in the 2021 draft, had the organization buzzing from top to bottom when he struck out 14 of the 16 batters he faced while pitching for Class A Clearwater on Saturday. His fastball was up to 99.8 mph and averaged 97.4.
In three starts this season, Painter has allowed just four hits and an unearned run while striking out 30 and walking just three in 12 innings.
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The stat sheet says he might be ready for a new challenge, a move up the ladder to the Jersey Shore club and a more advanced level of Class A ball.
That day will come, but it's not here yet, according to Preston Mattingly, the Phils' director of player development.
Painter, who turned 19 on April 10, is scheduled to start again on Saturday and he'll make that start for the Clearwater club.
"We want him to continue what he's doing and if he keeps dominating like he has been, we'll have to make a decision," Mattingly said. "He's still got a lot to work on. What we try to get through to our players is your last outing doesn't mean anything, we're always looking ahead to the next one, preparing to get better each time you go out there.
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"Whether it's using different weapons, commanding your pitches, controlling the running game, fielding your position, there's always something to work on and Andrew is in the same boat as everyone else in our organization."
Mattingly pointed out that Painter threw five innings and 70 pitches in his last outing. Under Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies are looking to develop starting pitchers who can work deep into games. That starts with building a workload in the minor leagues.
"He's off to a good start," Mattingly said of Painter. "I think we're still building him up workload-wise so he's (in Clearwater) for now. We'd like to get him built up to 90, 100 pitches with no restrictions."
When the time comes for Painter to move to Jersey Shore, he will join two other power-armed starting pitching prospects in Mick Abel and Griff McGarry. The Phillies hope in that trio lies the makings of a stellar big-league staff someday down the road.
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