Welcome to the latest edition of the Phillies Beat Newsletter. This version was written by Paul Casella, who has been based in Philadelphia since 2019 and covers the team alongside Todd Zolecki. |
PHILADELPHIA -- Top prospect Andrew Painter is progressing exactly as planned with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Painter has a 2.65 ERA in four starts with Lehigh Valley. He's racked up 20 strikeouts in 17 innings. His fastball is sitting right around 97 mph -- and has topped out at 100 mph. Most importantly, he's shown no reason for concern as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. Is there anything else the Phillies want to see from Painter? "Health," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. "That's it." |
The plan has always been for Painter to make his MLB debut in "July-ish." Thomson may have provided a bit more clarity recently on when exactly we might see Painter in the big leagues. While the situation remains fluid, Thomson indicated that the club plans to use the All-Star break -- which runs from July 14-17 -- to let Painter rest and recharge. Asked if Painter could make his MLB debut prior to that stretch, Thomson said: "I don't think so." The Phillies come out of the break with a six-game homestand. They host the Angels from Aug. 18-20 before taking on the Red Sox from Aug. 21-23. It's possible Painter makes his MLB debut in one of those games. That said, the Phillies are obviously keeping their options open. Painter has pitched a total of 28 1/3 innings across the Minors this season (11 1/3 for Single-A Clearwater and 17 for Triple-A Lehigh Valley). He's expected to extend out to pitching into the sixth inning in his next outing -- tentatively scheduled for Wednesday with the IronPigs in Charlotte. |
The plan all along was to delay Painter's progression this spring so that he can still have innings left to help the team down the stretch and into the postseason. "He's right where we want," Thomson said of Painter's innings count to this point. There isn't an obvious need in the big league rotation at the moment, even with Aaron Nola likely sidelined until at least mid-June. Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez, Ranger Suárez and Jesús Luzardo (Saturday’s hiccup aside) have all pitched well for a starting rotation that leads the Majors with 369 strikeouts. The club also announced on Sunday that Mick Abel (No. 8 prospect) will rejoin the rotation on Thursday, moving Taijuan Walker to a permanent bullpen role. Abel, who tossed six scoreless innings in his May 18 MLB debut, is 6-2 with a 2.21 ERA in 10 starts with Lehigh Valley this season. |
Even following his remarkable debut, Abel went back to Triple-A and picked up right where he left off. In two starts since, he allowed just one earned run and struck out 16 batters over 10 2/3 innings. “Very impressed, because a lot of times you don't see that,” Thomson said. “You see an adrenaline dump when guys go back down, but he's been really good. Really consistent.” Now, if a need was to present itself, Thomson has said the Phillies will not move Walker back into the rotation. So if another pitcher went down while Nola was still out, or if a couple guys hit the IL in late June or early July, that would likely be the only way Painter finds his way to Philadelphia before the All-Star break. "Who knows what could happen?" Thomson said. "But we've always targeted July." |
|
|
With Painter and Abel both dealing at Triple-A, let’s take a look at how some of the club’s other top prospects are performing at each of the other affiliates: |
|
|
Double-A Reading Fightin Phils: SS Aidan Miller (PHI No. 2 prospect) Miller, the No. 27 overall pick in the 2023 Draft, has been heating up following a bit of a slow start. After slashing just .203/.314/.311 (.625 OPS) in April, the shortstop -- who turns 21 on June 9 -- slashed .284/.364/.432 (.796 OPS) with three home runs and 10 stolen bases in May. He's been particularly locked in of late, reaching base safely in 15 of his past 16 games. He's hitting .328 (19-for-58) with six extra-base hits and eight stolen bases during that 16-game stretch. High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws: 3B/SS Carson DeMartini (No. 15) DeMartini, a fourth-round pick in last year's Draft, flashed some impressive tools over the first two months of his first full professional season. He entered June with a .401 on-base percentage while racking up five home runs and 18 stolen bases. DeMartini is still striking out more than the Phillies would like -- he has 58 in 47 games -- but he entered Sunday with an .839 OPS over 71 career games between Jersey Shore and Single-A Clearwater. Single-A Clearwater Threshers: 2B Aroon Escobar (No. 13) The 20-year-old Escobar is off to a blistering start in Clearwater, slashing .322/.421/.503 (.924 OPS) with eight home runs and five stolen bases in 44 games. His .322 average leads all hitters across the Florida State League, while he’s also tied for first in hits (57), tied for second in home runs, ranks third in slugging percentage, fourth in OBP and second in OPS. |
|
|
MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
|
|
WHAT'S HAPPENING NEXT HOMESTAND |
|
|
Though the Phillies hit the road this week for a three-game set in Toronto followed by a three-game weekend set in Pittsburgh, make sure to mark your calendars for when they return to Citizens Bank Park. There’s plenty to look forward to on the next homestand, including a Nate Smith postgame concert following the club’s June 10 game against the Cubs. If you’re looking for a unique collectible, the club will hand out Kyle Schwarber “card show bobbleheads” to all children 14 and under prior to the June 14 game against the Blue Jays. To see the one-of-a-kind bobblehead and buy tickets, click here. |
|
|
• Abel is returning to the rotation and Walker is headed to the 'pen, but those weren't the only moves the Phillies made this weekend. Here’s everything you need to know about the reshuffled rotation and new-look bullpen. • Bryce Harper is expected to be back in the lineup on Tuesday. Follow all the latest injury updates on Harper and Nola here. • With MLB announcing a partnership with the new Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), check out how J.T. Realmuto’s sisters, Ryan and Amanda, helped him embrace a move to catcher in high school. |
|
|
FORWARDED FROM A FRIEND? SUBSCRIBE NOW |
|
|
To subscribe to Phillies Beat, visit this page and mark "Phillies Beat" from our newsletter list. Make sure you're following the Phillies or that they're checked as your favorite team. |
|
|
|
