CLEARWATER, Fla. — Andrew Painter never attended a baseball postseason game in his life until he had a mundane reason to head to Philly during the National League Championship Series.
“It’s actually funny how it worked out,” Painter said.
He was in town to pick up a new pair of contact lenses the week the Phillies took on the Padres at home. He scored tickets and took his father to see the Phillies clinch their first pennant since 2009.
“It was great seeing that atmosphere. They’re some of the best fans in baseball,” Painter said.
The 6’7″ right hander was just one of the more than 45,000 spectators in the seats standing and cheering. His legs were sore at the end.
Fast forward less than four months later and he’s in camp with the big league club looking to land a spot in the rotation.
If he breaks camp with the team, the Phillies will have to monitor his workload to ensure that he’s able to pitch well into September and October. It can be done. Painter threw over 100 innings in the minor leagues in 2022. The Phillies do not necessarily have an innings restriction on Painter, but they’ll have a sense of what his limit is.
The Phillies hope that Painter’s next view of the postseason is a lot different this time around.
Why there won’t be a platoon in CF — for now
The plan is for Brandon Marsh to open the season as the Phillies’ every day starter in center field. As Rob Thomson said Monday, Edmundo Sosa is expected to get some reps in center field this spring. It’s a way to get Sosa in the lineup more frequently but not enough to call it a platoon:
“I do believe, talking with Kevin [Long], Brandon is gonna be able to hit left handers,” Thomson said. “He’s going to be more comfortable with it. They’re doing a lot of work on it. I wouldn’t say it’s a platoon. I just think it’s gonna give Sosa a few more at-bats.”
Sosa went on a hot streak following his arrival in Philly after the trade deadline in 2022. He posted a .937 OPS with 10 extra-base hits in 54 at-bats during the regular season with the Phillies. Outfield depth is not a strength on the roster and if the Phillies believe in Sosa’s bat and glove, center field could be a way to sneak their best utility man in the lineup more often.
Around the Carpenter Complex
Tuesday was technically the first official full-squad workout, but numerous position players that did not have to report until today have been there for days. Michael Plassmeyer, who will start one of the split squad games to open up the Grapefruit League schedule on Saturday, threw live batting practice against some of the top Phillies position players, including Trea Turner, Rhys Hoskins, Bryson Stott and J.T. Realmuto.
Here’s Turner getting a knock off Plassmeyer:
Zack Wheeler, José Alvarado and Seranthony Domínguez also threw live batting practice. Craig Kimbrel threw a bullpen session with J.T. Realmuto catching.
Mick Abel threw a bullpen session early in the morning.
“Velocity is good. Arm work good. I don’t know what the velocity is — I’m still not asking what the velocities are, but he said the ball came out of his hand well,” Thomson said.
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