ALLENTOWN – The start of the second week of May during an MiLB season typically does not create a ton of fanfare across the sport. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs do not have a typical roster, however. Andrew Painter, the clubs’ top prospect and fifth-ranked prospect in all of baseball makes his highly anticipated Triple-A debut tonight when the IronPigs take on the Worcester WooSox (Boston). Painter is expected to throw four inning or 60-65 pitches.
Prior to toeing the rubber, his new teammates in Garrett Stubbs, Justin Crawford (#3 prospect in system) Mick Abel (#8 prospect) and the red-hot Otto Kemp (#24 prospect) all spoke to media prior to the game.
Otto Kemp
Kemp has become a fan favorite with his unexpected production that is creating quite the buzz in regard to whether he will be called up to the bigs sooner rather than later. He enters the game on a six-game hitting streak and the numbers are still eye-popping. He is slashing .414/.469/.621 with a 1.090 OPS with a homer and nine RBI during the streak. He has also picked up at least one hit in 12 of his last 13 games, hitting .421 during that span.
Speaking with Phillies’ Director of Player Development Luke Murton, he said what has impressed him the most about Kemp has been the infielder’s ability to improve each season. Kemp said that getting better every day is vital to his development.
“That’s been one of the biggest things for me is to take steps every single year. This is a game where it takes a really long time to develop. There’s a reason why so many guys are in the minor leagues for so long. It takes so long to get to your debut. For me, if I come to the ballpark and work on every aspect of my game, I know to that day I did everything I could, I could live with the times where I go for 0-for-4 or have a bad game. I know I did everything I could to prepare to the best of my ability.”
Justin Crawford
The speedy outfielder is still hitting the ball on the ground at a 58.8% clip through his first 30 games. That has not stymied the production from the speedy outfielder, however. Crawford is hitting .323 in 127 at-bats with eight doubles, and two triples. His 10 stolen bases are good for 11th most in the International League.
Crawford said he is still making adjustments at the plate.
“I’m still making adjustments. It’s not really easy. I have been trusting my routine and my approach and doing everything I have done to get here. Just trying to stay even keeled, taking it one at-bat at a time.”
Most of Crawford’s off days have been against left-handed pitching this season despite having good numbers against southpaws through the first 30 games hitting .375 (12-for-32) and he said that he wants to face southpaws moving forward.
“I want to be out there every day. I feel fairly comfortable against them and at times feel even more comfortable seeing lefties which might sound weird. I’m ready to go to work and hit whenever my name is called. I think it’s something about facing them that keeps me on the ball, more so when I might be scuffling, I’d like to say. Makes me have to lock in and keep my head on the ball and not pull off. It helps me stay more locked in.”
Garrett Stubbs
The elder statesmen of the clubhouse in Lehigh Valley has embraced his role with the team and organization after being sent down to Triple-A at the conclusion of Spring Training. Stubbs has been credited with helping out the IronPigs pitching staff putting together a very solid start to the season and manager Anthony Contreras mentioned that Stubbs is an extension of the coaching staff.
The IronPigs pitching staff has a collective 3.92 ERA so far this season.
Stubbs still is keeping in contact with all of his teammates up in Philadelphia. Most notably, texting Taijuan Walker after he impressed in his debut out of the bullpen Wednesday night where he racked up six strikeouts while recording seven outs for a three inning save at Tampa.
“I texted him immediately. That was sick!”, Stubbs said.
Stubbs will be tasked with trying to contain any emotions that Painter might have when he takes the mound in his Triple-A debut.
Mick Abel
It has been an incredible bounce back for Abel after a tumultuous season last year. Abel credits his mindset and understanding that the results cannot dictate how his outings go.
“I think I definitely prepared a lot more this offseason getting back to how I want to feel pitching wise. I think I set some lofty goals for myself last year and the season goes how or goes, but I was able to look at myself in the mirror and told myself I’m not that far off, just had to get ABC to click again on the mound. This year I have my own definition of success and it’s been a lot more fun.”
First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. at Coca-Cola Park.
Follow Cory for updates throughout the game and season on X at @Cory_Nidoh.
Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
