Painter Finds His Rhythm Down in Lehigh Valley
The Philadelphia Phillies needed a fifth starter, but Andrew Painter struggled early. He posted a 1-8 record with a 7.06 ERA through 14 games by mid-June. That poor showing pushed him out of the major league rotation. The team had to look elsewhere for stability.
Now? Things are finally shifting in Triple-A.
Painter delivered six innings on Sunday for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. Just one run was allowed by him on five hits without issuing a walk. He also struck out six batters in that outing. According to The Good Phight, his fastball velocity jumped up significantly. He averaged 97.9 MPH and touched 99 on the radar gun. He held that speed through 90 pitches without fading. This was his second straight encouraging start for the Iron Pigs. In his previous game on July 21, he allowed two runs in five innings. He struck out eight batters in that contest. These numbers show he is finding his footing again.
Why the Call-Up Might Wait
Despite the better stats, a return to the majors isn’t guaranteed yet. Painter is still a work in progress after his Tommy John surgery. The team wants him to recapture what he lost on his fastball. He is currently throwing almost exclusively his fastball and sweeper. He is not using his full arsenal of pitches right now.
A starting pitcher is what the Phillies seek when the trade deadline arrives. They primarily need a back-of-the-rotation arm to help the team. The failure of Painter to stick in the rotation created this hole. The team has soldiered on without him for now. But they still face a dire need for help.
Per The Good Phight, Painter’s name hasn’t really been mentioned as a possibility lately. The team likely prefers he strings together a longer chain of good starts. Perhaps they’d rather he remains in Triple-A for the season’s remainder to improve. A call-up might happen if the rotation suffers an injury. It could also happen if the team fails to address the issue at the deadline.
The Deadline Could Decide His Fate
The trade deadline is approaching fast. The Phillies will discuss their needs over the days leading up to it. They might bring in a reliever or a starter to fill the gap. If they don’t get a starter, Painter could become the answer. The team needs to see if he can hold up under pressure.
His velocity is up, and his results are getting better. But the Phillies have been burned before by rushing prospects back. They need to balance immediate needs with long-term health. The fans want to see their top prospect succeed. The question remains: will Andrew Painter pitch in the majors again this year?
The answer depends on the team’s next moves and Painter’s next start. If he keeps throwing 99 MPH fastballs, the call-up might be inevitable. If the rotation stays healthy, he might stay in Lehigh Valley. The next few weeks will tell the whole story.
