The Phillies finally pulled the trigger on a trade today, sending their all-time leader in saves, Jonathan Papelbon, along with cash to NL East Division rival Washington. In exchange for the veteran closer, the Phillies received the Nationals 10th best prospect, right-hander Nick Pivetta. MLBPipeline.com ranks him as the Phillies number 10 prospect in the organization as well.
Pivetta, 22, stands at 6'5", 220 pounds and is out of New Mexico Junior College. In his first season with the Nationals, Pivetta spent time with the Nats GCL club, posting a 2.13 ERA in 12 2/3 innings before making five starts with Washington's short season affiliate in Auburn, NY. In five starts for the Doubledays, Pivetta went 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP, striking out 17 batters and walking 11.
The Nationals sent Pivetta to Class 'A' Hagerstown for the entire 2014 season, where he appeared in 26 games, 25 of which were starts. He didn't find too much success at that level, sporting a 4.22 ERA, but it was his first full season in minor league ball. He pitched over 132 innings with Hagerstown while hitters averaged .277 against him.
After spending all of 2014 in Hagerstown, the Nationals moved him up to ladder to Advanced 'A' Potomac this season, where he really came into his own. In 15 games (14 starts), the 22-year-old farmhand went 7-4 with a 2.29 ERA, striking out 72 hitters and holding opposing batters to a .225 average against him. His numbers through 15 games in Potomac were good enough to get a promotion to Double-A Harrisburg, where he had one tough start sandwiched between two solid outings.
Pivetta made his Double-A debut against Erie on July 10th and tossed six innings, giving up three runs on seven hits, striking out two and walking a pair as well. His next outing, on the 19th of July, came against the Bowie Baysox, the first-place Orioles affiliate. This game wasn't Pivetta's best, lasting just four innings and surrendering seven earned runs. He rebounded against the same Bowie team on the 24th, limiting them to two runs over five innings, despite walking five batters.
Now ranked as the Phillies 10th best prospect by MLBPipeline.com, Pivetta will join fellow top pitching prospects Zach Eflin, Tom Windle and Ben Lively in Reading. Here's his scouting report from MLB Pipeline:
Pivetta, a former Canadian Junior National Team star, spent his first full professional season with Class A Hagerstown. Though he remains somewhat raw, his big arm and prototypical starter's build entice scouts. Having made it up to Double-A in 2015, he clearly intrigued the Phillies, who got him from the Nationals in return for Jonathan Papelbon just prior to the non-waiver Trading Deadline.
There's still some projection left for Pivetta, and he could end up pitching with a tick more velocity than he has now. His fastball typically sits in the low 90s, occasionally reaching 96 mph. His secondary stuff is still inconsistent, but he has the makings of a solid curveball and changeup. He's still learning to consistently repeat his delivery, but at his best he fills up the strike zone with all his pitches.
Pivetta is far from a finished product, but he has the upside to develop into a Major League starter in time.
Deemed as an inning-eater by his former teammate in the Nats organization, Lucas Giolito, Pivetta was featured on MASN Sports Washington D.C. in early July. The Nationals assistant general manager gave many reasons as to why he believes Pivetta is an exciting prospect with plenty of upside.
Pivetta is likely to start for the Fightin' Phils when they visit the New Hampshire FisherCats this weekend.
