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The Numbers
12-7, 202.1 IP, 3.87 ERA, 229 K, 80 BB, 1.265 WHIP, 3.4 fWAR
The Good
Aaron Nola is a good pitcher with really good stuff.
Look at how absolutely NASTY his curveball movement is.
Aaron Nola, 93mph Two Seamer and 81mph Curveball, Overlay. pic.twitter.com/STSI7YqRhB
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 15, 2019
Watch him strike out 12 batters in 21 seconds.
Aaron Nola's 12Ks in 21 seconds. pic.twitter.com/u8uGzdDrTd
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 18, 2019
This changeup? It should be illegal.
Aaron Nola, Disgusting 86mph Changeup. pic.twitter.com/KdDWOjPhzf
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 2, 2019
And this curve? Rest in Peace, Dom Smith.
Aaron Nola, Soul-Crushing 80mph Curveball. pic.twitter.com/3m8Ji0C4lD
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 27, 2019
He struck out 10+ batters four times this season, including matching a career-high 12 batters on May 18.
The Bad
Nola pitched a career-high 212.1 innings in 2018 and the effects of that workload showed early in the 2019 season. He looked good for the most part in July and August, but otherwise was not the dominant force we all know he can be.
The thing is, Aaron Nola wasn’t BAD in 2019. He just wasn’t as good as he was in 2018. With the rest of the starting rotation made up of AAAA starters and walking wounded, the Phillies really needed their Cy Young Finalist to repeat his 2018 season success. Which he didn’t.
The Future
Nola is signed through the 2022 season with a club option for 2023. New pitching coach Bryan Price has been praised for his ability to unlock talent and consistency in his pitchers, even winning Pitching Coach of the Year twice (2001 and 2007). With a good pitching coach, better pitchers around him in the rotation, and a smart workload in 2020, Aaron Nola is more than capable of matching—and surpassing—his 2018 success.