Posts Tagged ‘Aaron Nola’

Following The 40: Starting Rotation

November 8th, 2015 by Mike H. | Comments Off on Following The 40: Starting Rotation | Filed in Baseball, General, MLB, Phillies

phillies40In recent years, Hollywood has been all about the reboot. In 2015 alone, we saw both ends of the spectrum of how rebooting can go. Jurassic World acknowledged the original Jurassic Park, but basically disavowed all information that happened in the increasing lesser sequels. Then there was Fantastic Four, a desperate attempt to retain a franchise that needed to move on that just came off as … well, desperate. As you’re reading this, I can see a good majority of people saying, “How in the hell does this relate to the Phillies?” It has everything to do with them, and as the Phillies start to reboot the franchise, I’m gonna go step-by-step through the roster and give my thoughts on how they can end up the summer blockbuster we’re all lining up to see.

Speaking of the Fantastic Four, that was the previous regime in a nut shell. After 2008, it was just one grasp at a straw after another. Failed attempts to keep a window open instead of finding a way to open a new one. That first step in finding a new window came with a slamming of a door, the one that closed when Ruben “Mr. Fantastic” Amaro was finally given his pink slip. New GM Matt Klentak still believes in building around pitching and while the Phillies have acquired some potential, they don’t have much in the way of certainty. As of right now, the only thing close to certainties in the Phillies rotation are 2014 1st round draft pick Aaron Nola and Jerad Eickhoff, who was acquired from Texas in the Cole Hamels trade (sorry for the sore spot, Amy).

So what are the Phillies options? Well, Adam Morgan is working his way back and probably has one of the better shots to make the rotation. Alec Asher, David Buchanan, Severino Gonzalez, and Matt Harrison all will have shots at a spot as well. Asher, Buchanan, and Gonzalez appear to more likely start the season in AAA Lehigh Valley, but are definitely options. Harrison on the other hand, seems more likely to spend more time on the disabled list than on the active roster. Harrison is still trying to make the seemingly impossible comeback from spinal fusion surgery. A surgery that was given the prognosis of a 20% chance that he would ever pitch competitively again.

Recently, an article stated that the Phillies would definitely consider calling up top pitching prospect Jake Thompson, who was also acquired in the Texas deal. The article stated that the team would bring him up if they felt he deserved. Now while a lot of fans may see a great second half in AA Reading, there is no reason to rush him. Let him start the year in AAA and if he is just as successful, he’ll probably be up before the All-Star Break. Why any team would risk losing a year of team control on a potentially gifted player is ridiculous.

The Phillies also have the top pick in the Rule V draft at the end of the annual Winter Meetings, which is just over a month a way. The Phillies really lucked out last year with CF Odubel Herrera. Can the team repeat that success? Only time will tell and we here at TSP will be keeping track of all the possibilities as we get closer and other rumors and transactions that occur during the busiest week of the baseball offseason. While some of the key free agents that set the market come off the board that week, don’t expect to see the Phillies dive into the free agent deep end. I suspect more Jerome Williams and Aaron Harang-esque types of signings with the hopes of being able to flip them mid-season with guys like Thompson, Asher, Buchanan, and Gonzalez ready to step in.

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Following The 40: Off-season Primer

October 12th, 2015 by Mike H. | Comments Off on Following The 40: Off-season Primer | Filed in Baseball, General, MLB, Phillies

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As the Phillies off-season begins, the first order of business was to pair down the roster to 40 players including ones that would be coming off of injured status. Earlier last week, the Phillies outrighted Justin De Fratus (who recently elected free agency), Jonathan Pettibone, Adam Loewen, Ken Roberts, Erik Kratz, Jordan Danks, and Chase d’Arnaud. The roster currently stands at forty, but with a strong likelihood that Cliff Lee, Chad Billingsley, Aaron Harang, Jerome Williams, Brian Bogusevic, Jeff Francoeur, and Andres Blanco all head to free agency.

Francoeur and Blanco are expected to be asked to return, but will both certainly be given offers with other clubs. Domonic Brown may have seen his last inning as a Phillie as he has a very strong chance of being non-tendered a contract. Jesse Biddle and David Buchanan are both likely to be outrighted in the near future due to their respective injury statuses. That sets the Phillies at 30 players.

Whoever the next General Manager may be, while they have the resources, there probably won’t be any huge splashes for 2016. In fact, the Phillies acquisitions will most likely be role players and players coming off of injury looking to establish value. The rotation will most likely consist of Aaron Nola, Jerad Eickhoff, and Adam Morgan as pitchers three thru five with Alec Asher and Severino Gonzalez given opportunities.

Matt Harrison, whom the Phillies acquired at the trade deadline in the Cole Hamels deal, could also be an option if he is healthy enough to compete. The Phillies could also add from within with Zach Eflin and Ben Lively as potential candidates. My personal targets for the Phillies to add from free agency: Mat Latos or Doug Fister.

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Aaron Nola Excels in MLB Debut

July 22nd, 2015 by Joe Buscemi | Comments Off on Aaron Nola Excels in MLB Debut | Filed in Baseball, General, Phillies, Sports, TalkSportsPhilly

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Last night was all about Aaron Nola and the future of the Phillies.

The anticipation for the highly touted prospect had been ongoing since the organization first announced his debut start against the Rays. You could feel the excitement and energy all throughout Citizens Bank Park. The team store was already promoting tons of new Aaron Nola merchandise and prior to the start of the game, fans of all ages gathered around the bullpen to observe the 22 year old, during his warm-ups. The team also saw an increase in attendance as 28,703 showed up in support of Nola. To put it in perspective, it was the largest non-fireworks night crowd on a weekday since May 14th and an increase of a little over 8,000 since Monday night.

After giving up a lead-off double to Rays left-fielder John Jaso, Nola calmly retired the next three batters, including back to back strike-outs to Souza and Longoria. Nola was on cruise control for pretty much the rest of the game with the exception of the third inning. As luck would have it, he gave up his first MLB homerun to Ray’s pitcher, Nathan Karns. Home runs are a rare commodity by American League pitchers and Karns was the first to do so since Zach Britton of the Orioles hit one against the Braves back in 2011.

Apparently none of that phased Nola and yet again he would retire the remainder of the Rays in order.

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Highly Touted Prospect Aaron Nola To Debut With the Phillies

July 18th, 2015 by Joe Buscemi | Comments Off on Highly Touted Prospect Aaron Nola To Debut With the Phillies | Filed in Baseball, General, Phillies, TalkSportsPhilly

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A new chapter in Phillies history is about to begin. There’s no secret the team is going through one of its biggest rebuilds since the early 2000’s.  With the core on its way out, including the team’s ace, Cole Hamels, there will be an even greater void in clubs starting rotation.

That void may soon be filled by the clubs top pitching prospect Aaron Nola. After being drafted seventh in the first round of the 2014 draft, Aaron is already backing scouts that considered him to be one of the most advanced college pitchers from last year’s class. He began his career with the clubs high-A team and just two months after being drafted he wound up in double-A. According to scouting reports he has excellent command of his three pitch arsenal which includes a fastball (topping off at 95 mph), changeup, and curveball.

Nola posted a 10-4 record with an ERA of 2.39 in 18 starts between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Despite coming off his worst start last night, July 16th, where he gave up six runs in just three innings, Nola will make his major league debut Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Aaron is the first Phillies pitcher to make his MLB debut the year after begin drafted since Pat Combs back in 1988. The Phillies may have struck gold if all goes well with Nola and it’s nice to see the organization is going to give him an opportunity mid-way through the season.

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Minor League Mondays: Offseason Acquisition Edition

January 6th, 2015 by Mike H. | Comments Off on Minor League Mondays: Offseason Acquisition Edition | Filed in Baseball, Phillies

It’s been a couple of weeks since MLM, but I’d like to to take some time to take a look at the guys the Phillies have added to their organization so far. Obviously, if Cole Hamels is traded between now and February 19th, there will be some new blood to talk about. Before I go any further, I must give thanks to the players departing for their services provided: Antonio Bastardo, Marlon Byrd (again), and Jimmy Rollins. Instead of long summary of anything and everything they’ve done, I’ll just say Thanks and Good Luck going forward. I mean it from the heart.

So let’s look at the acquisitions in the order they were received. (more…)

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Phillies Sign Williams

October 22nd, 2014 by Mike H. | Comments Off on Phillies Sign Williams | Filed in Baseball, Phillies

According to multiple outlets, the Phillies and Jerome Williams have agreed to a deal for 2015. Williams, 33 in December, is guaranteed $2.5M with incentives that would max the deal out at $4M. While it has yet to be verified, the incentives are most likely based on innings pitched. Could it be a sign that A.J. Burnett will decline his option for 2015? Or is Williams just competition for guys like David Buchanan, Jon Pettibone, Adam Morgan, or even possibly Aaron Nola or Jesse Biddle?

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Deconstructing The Phillies: Starting Pitching

October 7th, 2014 by Mike H. | Comments Off on Deconstructing The Phillies: Starting Pitching | Filed in Baseball, Phillies

After yet another horrendously obvious season, the Phillies finally know that something needs to change. Whether they act on that knowledge is a different story. As we wait to see how the winter unfolds for the Phillies, I thought I’d post some of my own ideas of how to “fix” this team. Along the way, other contributors will throw in their two cents as well. In the first week we’ll address the starting pitching. So for some drastic ideas, read past the jump. (more…)

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