Call up Painter

[Philsmania]

The cerebral David Murphy says do it and so do I.

Andrew Painter’s time with the Phillies will be here soon. Why not now? | David...

[zambonir]

Murphy spends more time explaining why it won't happen than arguing why it should. I mean, it's all fun to consider, and it was more fun back when nobody cared about service time or even being so careful about development and you got Marty Bystrom.

But still, at some point there are only so many pitching spots to go around. They are about to get Seranthony, Eflin and Wheeler back, so that means Sanchez (remember him?), Nittoli and quite possibly Coonrod (or Nelson) are already gone. And you probably keep Falter, so is that a six-man rotation or does he replace or pair with Thor? And if the former, is Thor a reliever or does he pair with Suarez? And then you've got McGarry who is already older and more experienced and not on the same innings limit.

To just bring Painter up as a reliever or tandem starter for all of two-three games doesn't even seem like it would be that valuable, or necessary. Is it going to help them go 4-2 against the Braves instead of 3-3? Make the playoffs by four games instead of three? Keep them from missing the playoffs? There are too many other players and pieces involved for any of those answers to really be yes.

Now, if he was available and you just wanted to put him in the rotation and let it rip, that would also be fun.

[Austinfan]

And I say no way. He's just building up his arm this year, you want him to get into a game, let the adrenalin overwhelm him and blow out his arm trying to overthrow?

He should finish out this year in Reading, then FIL, then start next year in Reading and go to Lehigh if he overwhelms hitters, and maybe to the Show by the All-star break.

We're talking a potential franchise starting pitcher who is only 19.

Now McGarry, 23 with a few years of college, is a different matter.

[LoneStarPhan]

I don't really care about service time but I do hate to potentially lose one or more players over the off season. Putting any player on the 40 man roster now who does not have to be protected from the rule 5 draft uses a spot that could have been used to protect another player.

[allentown]

Calling up Painter is an awful idea. The team has correctly been careful to limit his IP this season. He's only 19. He's already pitched 100 innings this season. That's plenty.

[gmwannabe]

even after what I saw last night I agree with Austin. you know he would be amped up and try to overthrow. you can't take that chance of him hurting himself. barring any injury (and there probably will be along the line) and a trade, this young man will be at the top of the Phils rotation for years. I haven't seen Abel, but he will be right there as well. I said maybe by next year, but not yet. But Boy, he really looked awesome.
gm

[andyb]

It is a fascinating concept but I don't think I would do it. He is probably our 3rd best starter now (2nd with Wheeler out). But he also is near his innings limit and it is not like he is the solution to the team's larger flaws to the point where they absolutely need him to start game 3 of the World Series.

Next year I would be fine if he made the team out of Spring Training or just did a month at Lehigh Valley. He still needs to work on his secondary pitches simply because he has not needed them much. But if he won a job out of Spring Training I think we actually might get that bonus draft pick from his performance that will be worth more than gaming his service time. A more pressing question next year will also be innings. Imagine they will stick to something in the 130-140 range assuming he does one more start for Reading next week. The ideal Painter scenario might have him winning a job in training camp but joining the team a week or two late as the 5th starter when that spot is needed. Then giving him a 2-week midseason break at some point with a ramp up in innings like they did this year.

[tom81]

I’d promote him to AAA now, AA has not been a challenge. This still leaves the door open to call him up later this year.

[zambonir]

I think they probably will do that. But the door won't be open, they aren't going to raise his innings limit, rendering all the other considerations moot. We're still more likely to see McGarry.

[LegoDoom]

I agree about the innings limit. There is no need to have him go beyond that.

Not sure I agree about having him start next year in AA to see if he overwhelms hitters... that's already happening. I also don't think overthrowing will be a problem as nothing in his performances have suggested that will be the case. And it's not like he's hiding his secondary pitches as he seems to mix them in often. There is a point where keeping him back will not further his progress.

[andyb]

AAA season lasts one week longer than AA, so imagine there will be several callups. Maybe even Abel and Rojas and would not be shocked to see Drew Baker make a token AAA appearance.

A ends this week. AA next week. AAA 2 weekends from now.

[zambonir]

Spring training will determine where Painter starts in April I'm sure. If he stays in major league camp long enough to face better hitters more often and does well, he'll be in Allentown (if not Philly).

[Austinfan]

There's also the pressure thing with a young pitcher, start in AAA and he's under a lot of scrutiny, start at Reading and the articles about when he's going to get called up won't be as frequent. Same with Abel. If they start hot, they can be in Lehigh before June and Philly after the all-star break.

[LegoDoom]

There's also the pressure thing with a young pitcher, start in AAA and he's under a lot of scrutiny, start at Reading and the articles about when he's going to get called up won't be as frequent.

I mean, ok, but there are already articles about bringing Painter up. There was speculation before he was in AA. Unless he majorly regresses next year you simply can't hide talent like that.

[allentown]

I agree that it seems Painter should be in MLB next season. They won't start the season with Abel, Painter, and McGarry in the majors. At least one (I'm guessing 2 at start of season, then 1 for second half) will have to be available in AAA as injury replacements. How many already MLB SP will we take into ST?

[zambonir]

How many already MLB SP will we take into ST?

A good problem to have right? It's possible they won't add a single new free agent starting pitcher. If they are really confident, bring back just Eflin or Thor on a team-friendly deal, make Falter your #5 and then assume one or more of the kids take 1-2 spots eventually. If you're less confident you could bring both Eflin and Thor back (or Gibson instead of either of the others) and see how it plays out. Can always trade or move someone to the bullpen if the kids nail down two spots without issues.