Philadelphia Phillies Prospect Nick Pivetta Becoming Legitimate MLB Option
By Tim Boyle
Philadelphia Phillies prospect Nick Pivetta is pitching so well this year it’s time to start considering him for a future spot in the rotation. Can the young starter exceed expectations and make his way to MLB?
Pivetta’s path to the knocking on the Phillies’ door went relatively unnoticed over the last two seasons. He joined the organization back in 2015 in the Jonathan Papelbon trade to the Washington Nationals. At the time, Pivetta was nothing more than a throw-in to make sure the Phillies got someone in the trade.
Since he struggled for the remainder of the year in Double-A, many seemed apathetic to what he would do moving forward. In general, many were apathetic to who it was the Phillies even got for Papelbon. After all, Phillies fans were just happy to get rid of their rambunctious closer.
Things were different in 2016. Pivetta pitched very well at Double-A and even finished with an 11-6 record paired with a solid 3.41 ERA. Before the year was through, Pivetta saw some Triple-A action. At this level went 1-2 with a 2.55 ERA in five starts.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
The Phillies, with so many other pitchers in the system, put Pivetta on the back burner. The guys they got in the Cole Hamels trade were the priority with Pivetta just falling in line with the rest of the minor leaguers. Now, one step away from the big leagues and pitching phenomenally, there’s a great chance he passes others and gets an important role with the Phillies in the coming years.
Through three starts with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Pivetta is 3-0 with a 0.95 ERA. A recent performance of his featured 11 strikeouts. The strikeout rate of 11.4 per nine this season has been tremendous and a key statistic to watch. Even if Pivetta isn’t bound for the rotation, Philadelphia could ultimately discover he’s a gem for their bullpen.
Usually in trades like the one Pivetta was involved in, the minor leaguer getting shifted for the veteran on a big contract never amounts to much. This surely could end up as the final chapter. The 24-year-old Canadian has yet to even see big league action. With multiple veterans on the Phillies’ roster and minor league talent they greatly value, it may still take some time before he gets his chance.
In the meantime, Pivetta will look to continue pitching well. He has been the best starter for Lehigh Valley this year. Highly-touted prospect Jake Thompson has been horrific with a 14.90 ERA in three starts. Former first overall pick, Mark Appel, has also been bad with an 8.22 ERA.
Next: Daulton Jefferies to have Tommy John Surgery
Along with Ricardo Pinto, Pivetta is holding down the fort for the Phillies’ Triple-A squad. His case for a call up is building and given the poor starts from others, there’s a great chance he sees his opportunity arrive in 2017.