READING, Pa. — Nick Pivetta likely will set a personal record for new teammates in a single year. After starting the season for Single A Potomac, the big right-hander was promoted to Double A Harrisburg on July 10.
Not even three weeks later he was on the move again when he was traded from the Nationals’ organization to the Phillies in the deal for Jonathan Papelbon.
But on Thursday night Pivetta appeared to finally settle in with his new team by picking up his first Double A win against — of course — Harrisburg. In leading Reading to its 10th straight victory as the team marches toward its first division title since 2000, Pivetta showed off that big fastball and hard-biting curve.
For a change, Pivetta appeared to be in control.
“I haven’t had my fastball command going out there some nights,” Pivetta said. “[Thursday] I was able to get ahead with my fastball and my curveball hasn’t felt this great all year. To have something like that to fall back on is awesome.”
In addition to a bunch of new teammates on six different teams in his three pro seasons, Pivetta’s season has been filled with lots of pitches that find the catcher’s glove. Though hitters are batting just .232 against him, Pivetta has walked 19 in 30 innings in Double A. Headed into Thursday’s game his Double A WHIP was a robust 1.88.
No sane hitter would dig in against him.
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“Last time out he walked four in the first and struck out three. He was a little bit like Nuke LaLoosh,” Reading manager Dusty Wathan said.
But against his former team, Pivetta walked one and allowed three hits in 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball. He got ahead with his fastball that touched 97 mph on the radar gun and buckled some knees with a curve on his way to eight strikeouts.
A 97-mph fastball is one thing, but to mix it with a nasty curve can be a devastating one-two punch.
“It’s a pitch that has come along this year and I’ve been able to use it early in the count and later in the count, too,” Pivetta said.
Wathan was impressed with the entire package, especially Pivetta’s command of the game. But there are things that need to be ironed out. For instance, Pivetta has not pitched six innings since his debut with Harrisburg on July 10 and he’s completed seven innings just four times in 21 outings this season.
In Thursday’s win, Pivetta needed 108 pitches to go 5 2/3 innings and that is with one walk. More noticeably, Pivetta got just two ground ball outs Thursday and has just seven ground balls outs in his last 11 innings.
“His tempo on the mound is outstanding, he can really spin a breaking ball and he has a power fastball,” Wathan said. “There’s a lot to be happy about there, but he still has some work to do. He still elevates some fastballs, but he can get away with it at this level and with his speed.”
Getting ahead in the count, regardless of how well he is known by the opposition, is the key for Pivetta. When that happens, look out.
“I know those guys, but the key is you have to stick to your game and know your game and do what you do,” Pivetta said. “You have to pitch to your strength. They may know what you have, but hitting is hard. If you get ahead of guys it just sails on from there.”
Meanwhile, Pivetta is adjusting to life with the Phillies and his new teammates after the trade. Since joining Reading on July 29, the team is 12-3 after having its 10-game win streak snapped Friday night in Trenton.
Winning definitely makes the transition easier.
“Being on a new team is a different thing. You go from saying, ‘Hey, I’m going to make the big leagues with the Washington Nationals,’ then you get traded and you have to make it with the Phillies,” Pivetta said. “To come to a team that is winning and has such a great atmosphere with the team and the fans, it’s a pretty special place to be. I’m having a great time here and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Plus, with just three years in pro ball and still only 22, Pivetta figures to be a part of the Phillies’ future. Being traded for Papelbon was not lost on Pivetta.
“In the trade when you get traded for a guy like Jonathan Papelbon you think I’m going to be apart of this team in the future. That just brings more strength to your goal,” Pivetta said. “And I’m going to make it to the big leagues with this organization and we have a lot of great players here and I’m excited to play with them all in the big leagues and win a championship.”