[6] The Philadelphia Phillies selected DeNato in the 19th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft.

[7] DeNato signed with Philadelphia and spent 2014 with the Williamsport Crosscutters and Lakewood BlueClaws, posting a combined 4–1 record with a 1.93 ERA in 23 games.

In 2015, he pitched for both Lakewood and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and compiled a 2–3 record, 1.67 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 46 total relief appearances between the two clubs.

[8] DeNato spent 2016 with the Clearwater Threshers and the Reading Fighting Phils, pitching to a 4.76 ERA in 56.2 relief innings.

In 2017, he played with Reading and Lehigh Valley, compiling a 6–2 record and 2.65 ERA in 33 total games between both teams.