Just because the Phillies did not have an affiliate in the Carolina League did not mean they were not represented. Their trading spree at the trade deadline gained the Phillies’ prospects from across baseball and in this case a hot head closer brought the Phillies back a very interesting arm.
8. Nick Pivetta (RHP)
Pivetta really struggled in the Eastern League (both before and after the trade) and missed the playoffs due to an oblique injury. However, in the Carolina League the big RHP put up a 2.29 ERA with 29 walks and 72 strikeouts in 86 innings. He features a fastball that was 92-96 late in the year (a two-seam version in the 89-92 range as well) to go with two breaking balls. Different evaluators like each breaking ball differently, I personally prefer the curveball which is more of a power pitch with good break (though it can get slurvy). Pivetta needs a lot of work on his command which can come and go inning to inning. His changeup exists but lags behind the other two pitches, but shows solid potential. If he can put it all together he can be a mid rotation starter, but if the changeup doesn’t progress he can be an hard throwing reliever for the Phillies down the line. He likely returns to the Reading rotation next year with an aim at finding consistency.