The Lakewood BlueClaws, the Phillies' Class A affiliate, have been involved in two no-hitters this season and they've both been started by the same pitcher.
No, not highly-touted pitching prospect Sixto Sanchez, but former 31st-rounder Nick Fanti, a 2015 Phillies draft pick.
The 20-year-old Fanti threw a no-hitter with 12 strikeouts Monday afternoon for Class A Lakewood, the second no-hitter he's been involved in already this season. Back on May 6, Fanti pitched 8⅔ hitless innings with nine strikeouts and reliever Trevor Bettencourt picked up the final out to complete the no-no.
Fanti on Monday became the first BlueClaw since Gavin Floyd in 2002 to throw an individual, nine-inning no-hitter.
Fanti is 7-2 with a 2.52 ERA this season. He has allowed just 61 hits and 16 walks while striking out 94 in 89⅓ innings. His opponents have hit .188.
A promotion to High A Clearwater might not be too far away.
