PHILADELPHIA (AP) \u2014 Andrew Painter hopped of the mound in excitement in the fifth inning after his 97.2 mph fastball got James Wood to strike out for a second time.<\/p>\n
Phillies fans \u2014 some groups called themselves Andrew\u2019s Painters, others Painter\u2019s Painters<\/a> \u2014 waved paintbrushes and erupted in cheers with each strikeout for the rookie pitcher.<\/p>\n Painter delivered a masterpiece in his major league debut.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old Painter \u2014 considered to have one of the top arms in any level of baseball \u2014 tossed four-hit ball over 5 1\/3 innings Tuesday against the Washington Nationals. Painter tipped his cap to the cheering crowd as he left the mound in the sixth after he allowed a one-out single to C.J. Abrams.<\/p>\n He struck out eight, walked one and allowed a run when Abrams scored on a run-scoring single by Daylen Lile off reliever Tanner Banks.<\/p>\n Painter received a rousing ovation as he made the long walk from the bullpen to the dugout before the game and kept the fans on their feet when he struck out Wood on a nasty 12-6 curveball to open the game. Painter kept the Nationals flailing at breaking balls and swinging over high hard stuff the rest of the game. <\/p>\n \u201cI just want him to go out there and be himself, because his stuff is good,\u201d Phillies manager Rob Thomson said ahead of the game. \u201cKeep his composure, which I\u2019m sure he will, just knowing the person. But I\u2019m excited for him. It\u2019s always exciting for a guy making his debut.\u201d<\/p>\n He mixed curves, sweepers and sliders with a fastball that nearly touched 100 mph and flashed every bit of greatness that has been predicted of him since he was the 13th overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft and signed for a $3.9 million bonus.<\/p>\n Painter sprinted through Philadelphia\u2019s system in 2022, going 6-2 with a 1.48 ERA in 26 appearances spread across two Class A teams and Double-A Reading.<\/p>\n He hurt his elbow during spring training in 2023 and had Tommy John surgery<\/a> later that year.<\/p>\n The 6-foot-7 right-hander emerged the top candidate to win the Phillies\u2019 fifth starter job as he attempted to crack the rotation before his 20th birthday. Instead, the injury set him back at least two seasons, and he went 5-8 with a 5.26 ERA during two minor league stops last season.<\/p>\n The Phillies were never concerned with his record. They wanted to see how his elbow and arm held up over a career-best 118 innings pitched.<\/p>\n He\u2019s been deemed good to go and joins a stout rotation that this season will include Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher S\u00e1nchez and Jes\u00fas Luzardo.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s definitely been a long road,\u201d Painter said ahead of Monday\u2019s game. \u201cGrateful for it. Grateful for all the failure. Last year was a tough one. But I think I learned a lot from it.\u201d<\/p>\n The two-time reigning NL East champion Phillies gave him needed run support with solo home runs from Kyle Schwarber and Adolis Garcia. Painter left with the Phillies leading 3-0.<\/p>\n \u201cThis guy\u2019s a pretty poised guy. He\u2019s mature beyond his years,\u201d Thomson said. \u201cI think he\u2019s in a pretty good spot. Just throwing strikes. Command the fastball, throw the off-speed where he wants to throw it and, really, if he does that, he\u2019s going to have success.\u201d<\/p>\n The first outing sure seemed like plenty of success would be on the way.<\/p>\n Considered the organization\u2019s top pitching prospect since Cole Hamels, Painter entered the season ranked No. 26<\/a> among all prospects in baseball. Painter gave up seven hits and struck out eight in 11 2\/3 innings in spring training this year.<\/p>\n Painter said he would try to keep calm while pitching in front of about 40 friends and family in his ticket group.<\/p>\n \u201cNot super anxious,\u201d he said. \u201cJust trying to lean into the everyday process and just keep preparation, everything the same when I show up to the ballpark and let that stuff take care of itself.\u201d<\/p>\n Painter took a knee before he ever threw a regular-season pitch. He posted proposal photos on Instagram in March with his girlfriend, Shelby.<\/p>\n What\u2019s more nerve-wracking, proposing or taking the mound?<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d Painter said with a laugh. \u201cWe\u2019ll revisit that.\u201d<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n