Minor-league week in review: Andrew Painter makes High-A debut

Andrew Painter (right) is a former first-round draft pick. (Cheryl Pursell)

The Phillies’ 2021 first-round draft pick took the jump to High-A in the latest week of the minor-league season.

Right-hander Andrew Painter, the No. 13 pick in last year’s draft, made his debut for the Jersey Shore BlueClaws on Sunday.

The BlueClaws are now 22-34; the Low-A Clearwater Threshers are 29-27; the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils are 24-33; the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs are 34-26.

Painter pitches for BlueClaws

After a stellar start to the season in Clearwater, the Phillies promoted the 19-year-old Painter High-A ahead of Jersey Shore’s series this past week at Hudson Valley. He finally took the mound on Sunday, delivering three innings and allowing three runs on five hits.

Despite the abbreviated outing, Painter showed some bright spots early, striking out the side in the game’s opening frame.

Painter now has a 1.94 ERA in 10 starts across Low-A and High-A.

Ortiz hits in leadoff spot

Outfielder Jhailyn Ortiz blasted 23 home runs with an .834 OPS in 95 minor-league games last season, but hasn’t quite found the same success so far in 2022.

Having liked his at-bats in recent games, Reading manager Shawn Williams opted to put the power hitter in the leadoff spot on Sunday. Ortiz responded by going 2-for-5 with a double.

Ortiz had batted first in the order a few times early in the season, and Williams felt that moving back up could help the team and the 23-year-old get going. The Fightins ultimately fell 5-2 to Altoona, but Ortiz put together a solid performance.

“I just tried to find a spot for him that helps us,” Williams said after the game. “He doesn’t really care as long as he’s in there hitting, and I thought he had good at-bats overall.”

Ortiz is now slashing .238/.317/.442 with nine home runs in 48 Double-A games.