High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Andrew Painter Dazzles In Debut

Episode Date: April 1, 2026

Andrew Painter got the win in his Major League debut, allowing one run in 5.1 innings. Jack Fritz reacts to the rookie's first win and gives his thoughts on the Phillies taking Game 2 of this series against the Nationals. Presented by Miller Lite. To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy go to RingTheBellBook.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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A special four-part event, streaming April 10th on Hulu on Disney Plus. Deron is ready. The payoff pitch, swing and a line drive left field. Going back, Marsh, still going back, reaches up, makes the catch, and the ball game is over. Brandon Marsh on the dead run,

reaching up for that gravel to warning track, pounds his hand on the padded outfield wall, as he celebrates a 3-2 win for the Phillies. I got a feeling we're going to remember that night down at the ballpark for a long time. Welcome on and it is the final out. Jack Fritz hanging out with you on this Tuesday night, a much different feeling doing the final out tonight compared to last night.

As always, the final out is sponsored by the Philadelphia Parking Authority. The game wrap up is sponsored by Roto Router when plumbing problems hit, wrap them up quick, and call Rotoruder. Their team tackles clogs and leaks so you can stay in the game. Roto Router, your MVP for plumbing solutions. 215-592, 94-94 to get in and react. It was a joyous atmosphere

down at the ballpark for Andrew Painter's debut, a huge ovation. Actually, like, ovations for him just getting announced, ovations for him just taking the field, and obviously the biggest Ovations when he was removed from the ballgame. So a really, really cool, cool night down to ballpark. If you're stuck in traffic, we'd love to hear from you. Or if you watch this one at home, as always, I'd love to hear from you as well. 215, 5992 to get in. The biggest takeaway is the game brought to you by Morgan and Morgan America's largest injury law firm. And of course,

the big story tonight is that Andrew Painter looked the part. And I, It was pretty surreal, finally watching him on the Big League mound. I went down there for the first couple innings of the game, wanted to, I don't know, I got this thing with debuts. I want to be there for the debut, just in case they turn into a 300 game winner or a Hall of Famer. I could say, hey, I was at the first game. I went to Wentz's first game. That was hot for a second.

That first drive against the Browns and Pass of Jay Matt. Everyone talks about it. And then I was in Bede's debut. and Painter's debut and Harps debut, all that good stuff. But, you know, Painter is someone who has felt like he's been in our lives for, you know, like a decade now. He's 22. And he was supposed to be in the rotation at 19. He was the number one pitching prospect in the sport.

He had to come back from Tommy John. He had to come back from, again, he had it halfway through the, halfway through the year that caused him to miss the entire 24 year. He pitched in the fall league and then just couldn't find his footing at AAA and was able to take down 100 plus innings. And that was all good. But he had an ERA over five. And the Phillies whole message was, hey, as long as he's healthy, that's fine, we'll work on the other stuff. And this offseason, I think he went to work.

I think you get the fours, the foreseamer back, the arm slot that they talked about a lot, how it dropped last year due to fatigue, and that was something that it went to the lab and kind of ironed out. And, you know, the spring, it was sort of mixed results. Like the end results in some of the games were good, but he was also facing some scrub lineups. And the basketball, you know, the shape of it wasn't how it used to be. So I definitely had some concerns there. but that last start against the Braves in spring training, you really started to see the entire arsenal start to come together.

And I think what made tonight so, man, it was a spectacle in a way. But what made it so encouraging is, first off, I thought he held his velocity well. I mean, there was time in the fourth he was still hitting 98, which was good to see. and I think as the season goes on, as he gets stronger, I think the velocity will tick back up, and the fact that he get the ball up in the zone with that pitch is huge. But I thought what he did tonight better than what he did in the spring

was he didn't just overthrow the fastball because it's what he's been able to do his entire baseball career. And tonight, I thought he threw that slider a lot for strikes, curveball, good show-me pitch. it was really interesting. I was down there, and one of the pitches that I love from him is that change-up. And through the first two innings, he didn't throw one. And I was standing behind this guy in 126, and me and my buddy, Tom, were talking about, you know, painter.

And I was trying to explain the vertical horizontal brake on his fastball and, like, the numbers that matter. and he asked me, the guy in front of me asked me if he had a change up. And I was like, yeah, he's got the split change, and he hasn't thrown one yet. And all of a sudden he started throwing it. And it flashed. So he, I think could throw that sinker more, too. I love that sinker. I think that's a really, really good pitch for him.

He only threw it a couple times tonight, but I think that is going to be a bear for Ritey's to kind of deal with. So, what was so encouraging about Andrew Painter tonight is he's kind of just scratching the surface of what he can be. And what he can be is a top of the rotation type arm. And he's still just kind of getting there. He's got good feel for five pitches. I mean, real. Like, that's real.

And eight strikeouts, he did not totally show all the strikeout stuff. in spring training, but it flashed tonight. And I was impressed by him using his entire arsenal. I was impressed by the second inning where things could have got a little hairy, and he pretty calmly got out of the inning. And I thought his demeanor all night was good. He didn't look overwhelmed. He looked like he belonged.

I mean, him and Crawford. And they talk about the same thing with Adam Miller, and I agree, but we haven't seen Adam Miller at the big league level yet. But Painter and Crawford just have this. confidence that, hey, I belong here. And I think that, you know, all three of those guys playing in big tournaments and being some of the faces of the youth circuit, you know, all those guys, even Dante Nore, when they go to Dante Nore.

They don't just burst onto the scene. They're good. I mean, they have been a part of high-level showcase tournaments since they were in their early teens. And that kind of stuff just matters. You're traveling all the time. You're playing in big moments all the time. And I think kids today, as they come up,

are just more prepared for it because they're in the spotlight more now. And I was just really, really impressed by his demeanor. I thought he was actually, it was funny. I was watching him. I was like, he's almost a little too serious. You are a lot of smile. This is an amazing moment. And Rob Thompson goes out there and says, like, did you enjoy it?

And, you know, he pads on the chest, walks off. obviously didn't know what to do. He's like, ah, you know, I'll look down for a little bit, then tips cap at the end. And it was an amazing night. I mean, one of those nights at the ballpark, if you're lucky enough to be down there, and even if you watch it home,

where hopefully that's one that we'll remember for a while as when Andrew Painter burst onto the scene. And what's different about him and Abel is, I mean, Abel tries to just dominate with that fastball, but really doesn't have a plan against lefties. And I just think that what Painter has and the pitches he's able to throw and in any count he can kind of flip that slider over, flip that curveball over to get back into it to get guys off of his fastball.

And even in fastball counts, I thought it was encouraging that hitters were late on his fastball, which is good. If hitters are late in 3-1 or 2-1 or 2-0 counts, it's a pretty good sign for your fastball, that it's doing some things. So, you know, I can't wait to, you know, go back and rewatch it again

because that's kind of what we do when we see debuts. But overall, just a special, special night for him. 215, 5992, 94, 94, other things that kind of stuck out to me tonight, the back end of the bullpen has chance to be real special. I mean, Keller was awesome. And he raises the,

the ceiling of this bullpen because it's it's it's almost madsenish I mean prime madsen where they have the setup guy to the to the closer and Jerome's good I mean he allowed a a rinky dink base hit that just got over his head and james would hit that ball hard 100% I was actually a little worried is going to go out but but brandon marsh made a great great play on it, but overall, I mean, struck out two guys in the inning, which was good. But the back end has a real shot to be pretty locked down. It's funny. Teams now are just building traditional bullpents.

The sport went away from it for a little bit where it's like, oh, we can do the closer by committee thing. It doesn't matter. And now you look around. You have Mason Miller with the Padres. You have, like, you know, Palencia with the Cubs. The Dodgers who are like the smartest team in the sport, signed Edwin Diaz to go with Tanner Scott in the 8th.

The Yankees have Camilla Duval and Bednar at the back end of their bullpen. So all of a sudden, we're back to a setup man and a closer. What a crazy concept. Splitters. All of a sudden, back with pitching. Oh, what a concept. What a concept. What's old is new again in baseball.

But really, I mean, Keller. Now, maybe Keller is someone that they go to in a ghost. runner situation, maybe because he's got to, I know Durant struck out to you guys tonight, but there's something about Keller where I just, I feel like he's going to be built for those spots, but that's a problem for another day. Either way, the back end of those two is really, really good. And then the final thing is the negative, which is the offense still. I mean, still a little you know

Trey not great he got a hit which is good Bryce got a hit but man he looks so lost and so jumpy and and just I don't know I think it's timing

I think that it's going to come and he'll end up being fine the current version of Bryce is very jumpy all over the place against lefties looks like he has no shot and that's not a great spot to be good to see schwarburg go yard that was a welcome site but overall still not exactly the offensive output he would like to see

against a team like the nationals 215 5992 94 94 is how you get in on the other side we will get to your phone calls and we'll get to the player of the game and a whole lot more coming up next on the final out on sports radio 94 w y When West Jet first took flight in 1996, the vibes were a bit different. People thought denim on denim was peak fashion, inline skates were everywhere, and two out of three women rocked, the Rachel. While those things stayed in the 90s, one thing that hasn't is that fuzzy feeling you get when WestJet welcomes you on board.

Here's to WestJetting since 96. Travel back in time with us and actually travel with us at westjet.com slash 30 years. This episode is brought to you by FedEx. These days, the power move isn't having a big metallic credit card to drop on the check at a corporate launch. The real power move is leveling up your business with FedEx intelligence and accessing one of the biggest data networks powered by one of the biggest delivery networks. Level up your business with FedEx, the new power move. Here comes Rob Thompson, and I think that's going to be the end of the night for Andrew Painter.

And the reaction will be mixed at first, but thunderous in the end. As the 22, soon to be 23-year-old right-hander, meets on the mouth with Rob Thompson. He will take the baseball, and the 6-7 righte departs his debut. Welcome back is the final out. Sponsored by the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Luke Nichols already on the Andrew Panner walkout song. It's a good walkout song. It's a very strong walkout.

A good ballpark feel to it. Also, I got to say, I mean, Dan Baker is obviously a treasure and a legend in this city. And listen, got a little chills the first time I heard him do the full Andrew. Oh, it was beautiful. I mean, beautiful. crushed it per usual so it was it was really really cool being down there really cool being down there and all that it's it's always great going down because yeah you know the the negativity that you hear and you see online and ah they suck blah blah blah blah again it's not even april

april tomorrow but not even april and then you go to the ballpark and everyone's like this is the best isn't it and and i will say though i will say like like There was a drop-to-pop-up, or the misplay pop-up where they just lost it in the sky. A lot of aggressive booze. I mean, take it down a notch. Take it down a notch. You think they're purposely missing that? I don't know.

That would bother me. Either way, the player of the game is brought to you by South Jersey Gas. Make the Smart Play, Save Energy and Money with South Jersey Gas at SJG SaveEnergy.com. And obviously, the player of the game tonight is Andrew Painter, who was great. He was one strikeout away from matching Mick Abel with nine as the leader in the clubhouse for most strikeouts in a rookie debut for the Phillies. But he certainly, I think, calmed a lot of fear or concern from spring training that that fastball is going to get blasted.

Was I the one that was peddling most of that? probably because I was worried about it. And it's not like the Nationals are, just in watching them a little bit over the weekend and last night and tonight. They're obviously not murder as real. They have like one real power threat in James Wood that hits leadoff

and he did almost go yard there at the end. But I think the thing that I've learned about this Nats team is they have a friskiness and I do think they can put that on the baseball and they can single you to death. And I thought the Phillies did it. I thought Painter specifically, that a really, really good job of limiting it. And he struck out eight guys tonight.

And I had been in the mindset of four to four point two. And I'm not going to get off of that right now for a rookie going through, you know, major league baseball for the first time. Again, Cole Hamill's pitched to a 4.06 in 2006 as a 22 year old. So like, it's okay. But at least you're not leaving tonight feeling like this is going to go awry. I think you leave tonight. Can't wait to see what his next

outings going to be like and certainly more intrigued and hopeful that he can get to the top of the rotation type ceiling that we have been hearing about again for such a long time. And I'm sure it's got to be one of those things

where his mom and his fiancee, they were obviously shown a lot on the screen tonight. But I mean, this is a kid, again, who had a battle back from Tommy John that felt like it happened a long, long time ago. And then got blasted in AAA last year. And people are questioning, hey, we made this kid untouchable. Why?

Well, I think you saw it tonight, why they've made him untouchable? Not that he's Paul Skeens. Not that he's, you know, whatever. But there's real potential here. and you just have to be patient with high school pitchers. They take a little bit longer. I mean, Zach Wheeler took a long time to break out. I mean, the one name of a high school pitcher that really just came up and burst onto the scene and was great at like 21, 22 was Jose Fernandez.

It takes a little bit longer for the high school, for the high school kid. and I just think that what was so encouraging about Andrew Painter tonight is a real feel for a lot of pitches. And it's not like he just needs the fastball. He's got real feel for a lot. So that's the most encouraging thing from tonight. I thought his poise was encouraging. I thought his command was good. What, 57 strikes, 24 balls, which is great for a ball.

ball to strike ratio, especially for again, I mean, a young kid, having command at 6-7, another thing that's tough is being that tall and all the levers that you've got to go through to repeat your mechanics. It's tough. It's taken taller pitchers a longer time to develop. And that's the encouraging thing about Andrew Painter is he seemingly has all of that. He needs a fastball. Tonight fastball was good. I can't wait to dive into the numbers on it. Even some of the analytic nerd accounts were like, all right, it was good fastball tonight.

Great. Much, much needed. Much, much needed, and very, very exciting stuff from Andrew Painter. 2-15-592-94-94. On the other side, a look-ahead to tomorrow, plus the wow moment of the game and some defensive thoughts because there were some important defensive things that happened tonight. that we need to discuss.

All that's coming next on the final out on Sports Radio 94 WIPA. The moment you've been waiting for is here. GMC's truck month is on. For a limited time, get 0% financing for 72 months on the 26 GMC Sierra 150-c-cab Pro Graphite. Feel the strength of GMC Sierra's 5.3-liter V8 engine. Elevate your confidence with a factory 2-inch lift and off-road suspension. Ready for whatever lies ahead.

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It's just over the railing. Adolese Garcia with his first home run as a Philly. Opposite field, solo shot for Garcia. Two nothing Phillies. Yeah, about time. About time. No, Adolice has been really solid. He smoked a couple balls right at guys.

And there's been a couple times where he's chased some 59 footers. But overall, got another hit tonight. He had a home run. Another hit. It smoked a ball early. That's what you like to see. That's what you like to see. We'll have some more thoughts on that.

But the final out of sponsored by the Philadelphia at Parking Authority. That was today's wow moment of the game. It is brought to you by the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, from waterfalls to fairways, mountain resorts to lighthouse tours. Find your wow at visit nj.com. And it was a wall scraper. I believe it only would have gone out in 21 of 30 ballparks. I think I saw that right.

But they need to get, I mean, they're essentially paying $30 million for right field this year with Gatzion as being gone. and it's always not a $10 million deal. They've given the one year $10 million deal to a couple of players for the last couple of years. And obviously Kepler did not work out last year. It's early.

I don't want to get too ahead of myself, but he looks pretty good at the plate. He's hitting the ball hard. He's gone back to his 23 swing. He had some strikeouts over the weekend, but I'm okay with strikeouts as long as Slug is there. as long as hard contact is there, because I think that eventually that's going to result in good things for him offensively.

Whereas Cassiano, I feel like a lot of just BS contact, hit the ball hard, and be a real power threat. And they won't do it right now. It's early. But if he looks apart, he should hit four. They should swap him and boom. and Bone can hit sixth where he should be, and they can have a real power threat hitting four.

I'm fine with keeping it for right now, but if it always continues to look the part and put together pretty quality at bats and continue to drive the baseball, I don't want them to be afraid to make that switch in the lineup, because in a perfect world, he can be the forehitter. And I think the protection thing is incredibly overrated

for Bryce, but maybe getting a new, someone else behind him would go a long way towards maybe giving him some peace of mind. But again, I don't think it's a thing. I think Bryce is getting plenty of strikes. I think that he has to start doing damage. I mean, how many pitches have to get fouled straight back? Just rip the baseball. Start ripping the baseball. I just, because the ballpark's tense with Bryce. It just is. being down there now about two out of the five games, people are on them, you know, and what I find so odd or whatever is the like,

see, you're not elite, see, it's like, he didn't start it. He didn't come out and say, I'm elite, I'm one of the best. Debrowski's, the, Dumbrowski started all this with the not elite thing. Bryce got his backup about it and people just don't like that I guess but I just don't like this was one of the issues

with Debrowski saying the not elite thing is now people are going to be like you're right you're right Debrowski is right you petrelin child getting upset about that like every single person in the world would have gotten upset about that so I don't know it's a little

a little tight around Bryce at the at the ballpark at least you got the little squibber late and maybe that that gets him off to Schneid but he looks he looks lost up there I don't think he's done I think it's a timing issue I think that you know it's going to come but man he has to get back to being on balance

and driving the ball the other way and just not looking overmash against lefties because he he looks helpless right now against left hand at pitching just helpless now I did mention some defensive plays that I want to bring up and I think that the two that jump out, and speaking of Adolis, is in the second inning, that ball, that's a tough play. I was right down the line for it. That's a tough play that if Cassiano is out there, those runs are scoring.

And instead, Adolis able to get there. Great read on it, great break, and saves two runs for Andrew Painter that maybe change how he feel about his outing tonight. So Adolice makes that catch that no shot Nick Castionis gets to in the second. And then Crawford with a runner on in the seventh, it was a pretty quick jump on the ball, able to get right to it, no hesitation, and was able to record the final out. So, you know, Crawford, good jump there. I do wonder if in the first inning last night had Crawford played if he's able to get to one of those balls and maybe it's a different outcome against the Nats last night,

but at least tonight with Crawford being back out there. I've been impressed by his jumps. Definitely impressed. I thought he's more like Marsh out there where not always the best reads, but maybe uses his speed to go to run some balls down. But he's looked apart in center field, and certainly Adolese has as well. We'll look tomorrow in a second, but my guy, Dave in Maryland.

This is how you really know the final out is back when we're talking to Dave and Maryland. What's happening, BAL? What's up, man? A little breath of a breath of relief tonight. You know, it's great to see Andrew Painter out there. Brad Keller, throwing well. You know, it was just nice to see. Hopefully, you know, like you said, I think Bryce has just lost the plate right now.

He's had, I imagine multiple two-for-20s in his career. It's just right out of the gate. And, you know, that's not, that's the least of my concern right now. is him getting going. I'd love to see Trey gives him better at bats than he's been given. But, you know, it's been a grind in the first five games, but we've just got to keep in mind it's not even April yet. So hopefully the best thing for these guys gets Sanchez a win tomorrow,

then head out west. Everybody will forget about them for six days except us. And, you know, get the team going. And hopefully get a couple of games. over 500 by the end of April and get rolling. Yeah, I mean, I don't think a road trip would be the worst thing in the world right now, Dave. No, I think going out to Colorado and San Francisco will be, I think that's where you'll see Bryce start to, you know,

at least get some timing back and, you know, get in the cage, work on some things. And, you know, I had a rough week last week myself. So, you know, I'm just glad to be back in that talking Phil. Yeah, for sure, Dave. And I appreciate the phone call. It's how you know we're back when Dave's calling in. Now I will say having to go to San Francisco, a place where it's just been horrible for my entire life. I mean, even the Hayday Phillies, the 07.

Now, when I say Hayday Phillies, I'm sure there's older listeners out there saying, like, what do you mean the Hayday Phillies 07 to 11? My Hayday Phillies, 07 to 11, went out there and were horrible at Oracle Park now that was AT&T stadium. him. So I never look forward to trips out to San Fran. Rochon's in Central Jersey. What's happening? Not ready to go. Let's check in with Mike and Doyle's now. What's happening, Mike? Jack, you calling on me? Yeah, what's going on, man?

Hey, man, how are you? Thanks for taking the call. Oh, it was a beautiful night. I wanted to run something by you. I'm on the way home from the game. What are your thoughts on Harper potentially dropping a couple necklaces? is maybe an elbow pad, a shin guard, to get that bat through the zone a little bit sooner. I think it's been a disappointing start. Well, you could say that again. I mean, two for 20s, not exactly how you draw it up.

But come on, man, you've got to look good, play good, Mike. He is a master of the swag. I'm all my way home from the game, like I said, but very happy with how Painter was able to pound the zone tonight. I think you mentioned earlier in the show, the strike to ball ratio. But once he's out, I feel like we have some nibblers in the bullpen,

and I would just like to see our guys pound the zone, let the ball be put in play, and play some defense. What do you think about kind of the depth in the bullpen with some of the new faces early in the year? Yeah, I appreciate the phone call. I mean, I thought Keller looked great. You know, Banks did his thing.

I mean, he had the one ball off his foot, but, you know, overall, I think he did his job. They're down in Alvarado in the Pentonite. And, I mean, it's kind of like, why is he, whatever. But, and then Tehran, I mean, he struck out too, and they, you know, pitched a contact. And, you know, one guy just liked out a single on a ball that went over his glove. And then, you know, James Wood smoked the ball. And Brandon Marsh, thankfully, was able to make a play.

Brandon Marsh, great in left field. Super questionable in center field. tomorrow one of the first one o'clock game so chris sanchise on the mound versus kate kivoli kate kivoli is pretty nasty he's pretty nasty like just nasty enough

to where the Phillies are 100% going to struggle tomorrow if you know this team like i know this team get ready to get get ready to lock in on like a hopefully you know three two win like tonight kid kivalli shoved against them last year towards the end of the year

in Washington and I don't know. Just maybe I'm scarred from that one, but he's got some really, really good stuff. So they will have their work cut out for him, especially with how things are going offensively right now. But we get to see Chris Sanchez, who is, I believe, still leading the odds to win National League of Saly's Saly. So hopefully he continues to make his case as we are entering into April, April of the Philly season, two and three. So, season's not over. Andrew Painter saved the season tonight and one that we won't forget for a long time. It was a really, really cool night,

and those kind of things are what makes baseball the best sport on Earth. All right, that's going to do it for me. Luke Nichols produced the program tonight. Tom Kelly is next. He'll take you through the rest of the night. You're on Sports Radio 94WIP.