Philadelphia Phillies: The curious case of Aaron Nola
Since his debut in 2015 Aaron Nola has shown flashes of being a true ace. Over the last season and a half he has had a mixture of bright spots and slumps, but one thing remains the same, if Nola can become more consistent he has the ability to lead the Phillies rotation for several years.
Being selected in the first round of the MLB Draft comes with a lot of pressure to produce, but that didn’t effect Aaron Nola. After being selected by the Philadelphia Phillies with the 7th pick in the 2014 draft he moved quickly through the minor leagues, joining the major league team in under two years.
The reason why he was able to reach the major leagues so quickly is because of the abilities he possesses. While none of Nola’s pitches are overpowering he has pinpoint accuracy and shows incredible poise in tough situations.
Last season some of those abilities were tested, and it led to Nola having his toughest season. A 4.78 ERA in only 110 innings was very disappointing to see out of the ace of the future, as he didn’t have the movement on his off speed pitches or the accuracy that he is known for. Phillies fans weren’t happy with what they saw last year, but there is reason for hope.
More from Philadelphia Phillies
- The Real Reason Behind Trea Turner’s Recent Hot Streak
- VIDEO: Bryce Harper Hustles for Inside-the-Park Home Run vs. Giants
- Phillies Fans Let Ex-Manager Gabe Kapler Hear It in First Inning
- Andrew Knapp Finds New MLB Home With AL Contender
- VIDEO: Phillies Send Touching Message to Media Little League Team Before World Series
Having dealt with a significant elbow injury that cut his 2016 season short, and a minor back injury this season, Nola has learned to be patient with his body, and it has shown so far this season. So far, the command is back and his signature changeup and curveball have had incredible movement.
But still, even with the strides Nola has made to get back on track he needs to show that true ace potential where he dominates over seven or more innings consistently.
With other young pitchers in the rotation such as Jerad Eickhoff, Zach Eflin, and Vince Velasquez, Nola doesn’t have to completely shoulder the load. All great pitchers have gone through slumps so having one early in his career should just be a blip on the radar.
Next: Philadelphia Phillies: What is Curt Schillings legacy?
What many Phillies fans forget is that this isn’t even Nola’s third full season. The presence he has on the mound makes it seem like he is a veteran. Yes, some of these slumps Nola has gone through have been concerning, but the ability to be a top tier starter is still there. With more consistency there is no reason why Aaron Nola can’t be a staple in the Phillies rotation for years to come.