Springer Sees 2023 as Year of Pitching Reboot for Continued Success

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter is known for having a deep pitch mix and the ability to switch up his game plan on a moment's notice because of it, and his Grapefruit League outing has been no exception to that. However, there is one pitch that specifically sets everything up and, in Painter’s words, elevates his entire game: the changeup. In Painter’s latest start against the Baltimore Orioles, he pitched 2.

2 innings, giving up three runs on five hits, but didn’t issue any walks and struck out four batters. Several of those strikeouts came on the changup. In this outing alone, Painter threw the offspeed pitch only four times, but it generated two whiffs on three swings.

It’s not about the quantity of how often Painter throws the changeup; it’s about the efficiency. Painter said he was glad to establish the changeup early in his start because of what it can do for the rest of his mic. “I haven't really established [the changeup] early in the first two outings, but through a couple to righties too, and it feels good,” said Painter after the outing.

“I feel comfortable throwing it to both sides. I feel good going right and right and that just kind of elevates a heater, too. Everything; it elevates a whole arsenal when I have that working.