RADIO
Aaron Nola Poised For Greatness
7 years agoAaron Nola took a major step forward during the Summer of 2017. Returning from a back strain that sidelined him, Nola became the ace of the Philadelphia Phillies beginning in June. Beginning that month, he closed out his season with a 3.18 ERA to go with a 4.1 K/BB. Considering the Phillies are in a state of rebuilding, a win total in the upper teens for 2018 seems unlikely. The big key, however, will be whether the 24-year-old can maintain his health and cross the 200-inning mark. In the second half of last season, he averaged over 10 strikeouts per nine innings while also recording a ground ball rate over 50%, something only two pitchers managed to secure for the entire season. He also accomplished these feats while reducing his walk rate, all setting up a season that could see him contend for the Cy Young Award. In drafting terms, he’s projected to go in the middle rounds, around the 80th pick, but he could very well be the player you reach for in the earlier rounds.
