Nationals say Andrew Painter was ‘as advertised’ in Phillies debut: ‘He’s got really plus stuff’

Nationals left fielder Daylen Lile can recall facing Andrew Painter as a teenager.

Lile, 23, is four months older than the 22-year-old Phillies pitcher, and they grew up competing on the travel ball circuit many years before they played against each other at Citizens Bank Park. They also faced off in the 2020 Perfect Game All-American Classic in Oklahoma City, a showcase of the top high school baseball players in the country that also doubles as a charity fundraiser for pediatric cancer research.

Lile, a Kentucky native, represented the West, while Painter, a Floridian, played for the East.

“Seeing him through travel ball and seeing him now, kind of the same pitcher,” Lile said. “... Just keeping hitters guessing. He’s got really plus stuff. He’s got really good extension, being a tall guy.”

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Lile was one of the few Nationals hitters who found success against Painter in his sparkling major-league debut on Tuesday. Over 5⅓ innings of work, Painter allowed one earned run on four hits and one walk to secure his first major league win. He struck out eight, mixing all six of his pitches.

“He was as advertised,” said Nationals manager Blake Butera. “He’s going to be a really good pitcher in this game for a long time. That was pretty impressive stuff.”

Lile was responsible for half of the Nationals’ hits against Painter, notching a single to lead off the second and a double with one out in the fourth. He joked that it was nice payback after Painter struck him out, back when they were both 17.

“I think he got me one time, but it was nice to get him back today,” Lile said.

Nationals right fielder James Wood and third baseman Brady House also played in that showcase in Oklahoma City six years ago as Painter’s teammates on the East team.

Each of them were early draft picks, then top prospects, and now all four have officially made it to the majors.

“It’s kind of crazy,” Lile said. “Obviously, we talk about it. We’re pretty young, but to see all of us doing what we’re doing up here, it’s pretty special.”

Painter’s road here has taken more twists and turns than expected. He entered the spring of 2023 battling for a Phillies rotation spot, but he suffered a UCL tear that required Tommy John surgery and sidelined him for nearly two years.

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After returning to competitive action in the minor leagues last season, he was expected to potentially impact the major league club. But erratic fastball command led to inconsistent results in triple-A Lehigh Valley, and a call-up never arrived.

That is, until he made the Phillies opening day roster this year. And according to the hitters on the other side on Tuesday night, his heater was a big part of what made him so effective.

“He was kind of manipulating his fastball well,” said Wood, who went 0-for-3 against Painter. “He had a little bit of cut to it. So I feel like that made it play up.”

Wood, hitting leadoff for the Nationals, became Painter’s first career strikeout in the first inning when he swung through a splitter below the zone. He struck out again in the fifth, whiffing on Painter’s fastball.

When asked if Painter reminded him of another pitcher he’s faced before, Wood didn’t have a comparison.

“No, he’s Andrew Painter,” Wood said. “He’s a good pitcher in his own right.”