Minor League Games - July 30th, 2025

[BostonRoss]

In person, Painter didn’t look that great. Only one run, but many baserunners and hard hit balls for outs. Command was inconsistent. His ball moved, but not always where he wanted it. As andyb said, didn’t miss all that many bats. I agree he needs more time at AAA.

[zambonir]

I've personally all but written Painter off for this year, especially with the Phillies leaning against [if not ruling out] letting him pitch out of the pen. Doesn't mean he couldn't be a spot starter or injury replacement if Abel is traded. He could also be shut down at 120 innings, with his service time and the Phillies' incentives preserved for next year.

[fish]

5.40 era in June, 5.91 era in July (before today)

[andyb]

Next year they would have the option of waiting to call him up to get a 7th year of service - or being eligible for that top 100 prospect bonus for rookie of the year awards.

Of course top priority is always the big club so I still want him up by the end of the year if he can help us.

[zambonir]

Yeah but can he really help us? Seems like he's actually not good enough, it would interrupt his development, and even if he came up and did okay it might not last, just like it didn't for Abel. Even Kerkering wound up not being up to his role in MLB in '23 once things got going.

I suppose we'll have a better picture of this tomorrow, and in the coming weeks. If Abel and Walker and Romano are all still here and they add a reliever plus Robertson, and Nola is Nola, they just don't really need him.

[andyb]

Yeah but can he really help us? Seems like he's actually not good enough, it would interrupt his development, and even if he came up and did okay it might not last, just like it didn't for Abel.

That is for the Phillies to determine. He is our best raw pitching talent in years so a few tweaks and he might be very effective. We also could use him as the 14th pitcher in September which would be a short enough time to retain his rookie eligibility for next year (the potential bonus draft pick).

There is a pretty good case to go with 12 pitchers in the postseason also so it would only be a September tryout if it does not go well.

[zambonir]

There is a pretty good case to go with 12 pitchers in the postseason also so it would only be a September tryout if it does not go well.

I think you say this every year about the 12 pitchers and they never do it, except in the short series.

Bringing him up in September so he can have the experience and work with Cotham is probably not a bad idea but in what role/routine? It also appears the Phillies are going to be a in tight race for playoff seeding, which I guess is great if he pitches well but not so much if he's neither ready nor better than someone like Walker or even Ross.

[andyb]

I think you say this every year about the 12 pitchers and they never do it, except in the short series.

And they never use the 13th pitcher while we very well probably want Rojas around for defense and pinch running and he is probably 50-50 to be sent down after tomorrow.

[Matt_Winkelman]

To things already brought up, if they bring him up this late August/early September he should maintain rookie eligibility which would make him pick eligible next year assuming he ends up with a year total of service time by end of 2026. He needs a 40 man spot this winter so you aren't being inefficient there.

He threw very few fastballs (just 33%) today and none in the 6th inning. He is working in a sinker and seems to be getting much more comfortable with throwing his changeup. I wouldn't say he is ready, but you can see them working on a lot of dev with him right now, still over getting results.

[BostonRoss]

I had noticed that fewer than half of Painter’s pitches were fastballs. Those that were averaged 95-98 according to the scoreboard. Even for an amateur like me, his talent was evident even though the hitters weren’t having much trouble.

It was interesting that he was at 97 pitches after six innings but had him come out for one hitter in the seventh.

[Austinfan]

If it's a night game, he'll be starting on Friday. Big cold front coming through tomorrow evening.

[Austinfan]

Sounds like they're not expecting to bring him up and are preparing him for a shot at starting next season.
If they wanted him this season, they'd probably focus on two pitches for a bullpen role, since he'd be unlikely to start key games or in the playoffs this year.

[xogfog]

Well, there is talk Luzardo may be going to the bullpen as his innings increase, maybe as soon as Nola comes back. I’m not convinced Painter right now isn’t a better 5th stater than Walker, both are probably 5 inning starters, but Painter has better stuff. He could also be called up for the playoffs as a flamethrower from the pen.

[bigegypt0417]

Nori's last month numbers are pretty good... .313/.423/.986 with 11 walks and 9 k's

Hope he finishes strong.

[Austinfan]

I think with Nori, Crawford, Anthony and Mendez, the question is how they handle swing adjustments to generate more power. Not sure what they've done so far this season, but have to think they'd want them in the FIL to rework their swings to some extent (not three outcomes, but turn GBs into line drives).

[julio]

I think with Nori, Crawford, Anthony and Mendez, the question is how they handle swing adjustments to generate more power.

Mendez is moot.

[bigegypt0417]

and anthony is 800 AB's in and will be 25 next year.

Messing with Nori at 20 as he seems to be developing is also a weird add.

Crawford can go it alone.

[Austinfan]

Nori has a weird swing that generates zero power, they need to teach him to develop at least a minimal stride to drive the ball - he can always go back to contact first with two strikes.

[phillychuck]

Disagree. OBP>>SLG

[bigegypt0417]

Nori is hitting mor XBH as the season has progressed. The last month has been pretty positive. Changing his swing for more power is premature since it's developing. His speed and ability to get on base are his strengths.