Andrew Painter made his Triple-A debut with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, and the Phillies' top prospect was tested multiple times in his first outing.

The final step began on the top step. At 6:43 p.m. Thursday, with dozens of Little Leaguers clustered on the field in front of him, the most touted Phillies pitching prospect in 20 years paused at the edge of the third-base dugout.

Painter, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow, rung up five of the first eight batters he faced, including WooSox left-fielder Roman Anthony, the top prospect in all of baseball, who went down on four pitches, flailing at a 12-to-6 curveball for strike three to lead off the game.