Andrew Painter, the 22-year-old Phillies' fifth starter, is on a mission to avoid the 'spiral' that plagued him in his previous season. With a $3.9 million signing bonus and a history of Tommy John surgery, Painter is determined to prove his worth in the big leagues. His calm and collected personality, coupled with experience working through command issues, has prepared him for the intense Philadelphia environment.
On Saturday, Painter faced a test early on, allowing a four-pitch walk to open the game, the first for any of the Phillies' projected starters this spring. This was a strong indicator that he didn't have his best stuff, yet he battled through three innings without giving up any runs. This ability to work through a rough start without letting it snowball is exactly what the Phillies' manager, Rob Thomson, was looking for.
Painter's performance is a stark contrast to his previous season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he struggled with command and control. His first-pitch strike percentage was 48.8%, the lowest in the big leagues since 2021. When hitters got ahead in the count, they hit .299, drew 47 walks, and his WHIP ballooned to 2.74, resulting in a 5.26 ERA and an .826 OPS.
On Saturday, Painter consistently missed above the zone with his fastball, giving Blue Jays hitters the opportunity to swing in favorable counts against both his heater and his breaking pitches. Despite this, he held them scoreless, showcasing his ability to get outs without premium stuff. This is a crucial skill for a pitcher, as it demonstrates that he can be effective even when he's not missing bats.
Painter's success is also attributed to his trust in catcher J.T. Realmuto, 34, for his preparation and feel for the strike zone. Realmuto's presence provides Painter with confidence and conviction in his pitches, which is essential for a pitcher's success. Additionally, Painter's competitive mindset, developed during his Tommy John recovery process, has rubbed off on his offseasons, where he plays basketball to stay in shape and trains alongside notable arms in the game, such as rotation mate Jesús Luzardo and Max Scherzer.
Scherzer, 41 years old, has been a big mentor for Painter, emphasizing the importance of prep work and the timing of the offseason. This mentorship has helped Painter develop a mature mentality, which is crucial for a rookie's success in the big leagues. Overall, Painter's performance on Saturday is a positive sign for his future with the Phillies, as he continues to work towards avoiding the 'spiral' that plagued him in the past.
