Phillies top pitching prospect Aaron Nola to make debut Tuesday
After much anticipation, Philadelphia Phillies top pitching prospect Aaron Nola is slated to make his major-league debut next week.
The Phillies announced Friday that Nola, the Phillies' No. 2 prospect overall behind shortstop J.P. Crawford and No. 1 pitching prospect, will make his first major-league start on Tuesday, when Philly takes on the Tampa Bay Rays at Citizens Bank Park.
The time has come. @AaronNola10 to the show. #HolaNola pic.twitter.com/sifq7AvJrJ
— Phillies (@Phillies) July 17, 2015
The 22-year-old righty was selected by the Phillies in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2014 MLB Draft out of LSU.
His quick ascension to the majors is a rare occurrence, as the team announced that he's the first Phillies player in 26 years to make his major-league debut a year after being drafted.
He will be the first player drafted by #Phils to make his ML debut the very next season since Pat Combs (drafted June '88, debut Sept '89).
— Phillies (@Phillies) July 17, 2015
In 30 games (29 starts) in the minors, Nola compiled a 14-7 record with a 2.57 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 164 2/3 innings.