The Phillies selected LSU right hander Aaron Nola with the seventh pick in the 2014 first year player draft.
Here is our own Pat Egan’s write up on Nola:
Aaron Nola has been LSU’s ace for the past few years and for good reason. In 16 games this season Nola went 11-1 with a 1.47 ERA (16th in NCAA). He struck out 134 batters (2nd in NCAA) in 116.1 innings pitched. Hitters are batting just .172 off of him this season, and his .83 WHIP was good for fourth among NCAA pitchers.
Nola can place his 90-93 MPH fastball wherever he wants. He has no problem working it inside or outside to hitters. He also possesses a breaking ball that he can throw for strikes and a nice changeup that he uses to keep the batters guessing. Nola’s big strength is his ability to locate the strike zone. Think the opposite of Phillippe Aumont.
Keith Law told Jayson Stark and I on Monday that Nola would be the first pitcher in the draft to reach the major leagues, and that’s exactly what the Phillies need.
They have little depth in the pitching department outside of Jesse Biddle and maybe Severino Gonzalez, so it was imperative that the Phillies come away with a guy they know will be ready soon. No more 17-year-old projects. The Phillies cant afford it. So they went with the right pick at no. 7 in Nola.
