Section 215
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Philadelphia Sports: Section 215 top 25 Philadelphia athletes revealed

By Chuck Booth

Jan 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (1) celebrates with center Joel Embiid (21) after his game winning shot against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (1) celebrates with center Joel Embiid (21) after his game winning shot against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 28, 2017; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola (27) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Spectrum Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Number 15: Aaron Nola – Pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies

Aaron Nola, former first round pick, a potential savior for this young team.

The Philadelphia Phillies spent a first round draft pick, seventh overall, on Aaron Nola back in 2014. In his first game, July 2015, Nola lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to the Tampa Bay Rays. The only run allowed was a solo shot to the Rays pitcher. I was at that game, it was a great time watching the future appear in front of me. The first thing I thought leaving the game, “This kid’s gonna be just like Cole Hamels”. Granted, one of those players is a former World Series MVP and the other just lost his first start, but the kid showed poise and pitched a great game. Just like Cole Hamels, despite his efforts on the mound, the team couldn’t get any offense going.

Aaron Nola finished his first year pretty strong, strong enough to have high expectations heading into the 2016 season. He started 2016 pretty well too. Towards the middle and end of his season, he was going through a serious rough patch, he was having chronic elbow problems and it was affecting his performance. He eventually ended the season on IR.

Aaron Nola would be higher on the list had he finished last season strong and didn’t have a lingering elbow injury. If his elbow is fine he will skyrocket up the top 25 list. Coming into the season all eyes are on Nola and his elbow. He decided to forego surgery and just rest for the past 6-7 months. If his elbow holds up the Phillies will have one of the most promising young pitchers in baseball.