The wait is over. The long-anticipated debut of top prospect in the Philadelphia Phillies' organization, right handed starting pitcher Aaron Nola, will take place tonight at Citizens Bank Park in South Philadelphia.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Tampa Bay Rays (47-48) | Philadelphia Phillies (33-62) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Nathan Karns | RHP | Aaron Nola | ||
| (4-5, 3.63 ERA) | (MiLB: 14-7, 2.57 ERA, 164.2 IP) | ||||
Karns, 27, is 5-7 with a 4.08 ERA over 23 career starts. His 12 wild pitches this season are the most throughout major league baseball.
The Franklin, Pennsylvania-native was drafted by the Nationals in the 12th round of the 2009 amateur draft. He posted a 0-1 record with a 7.50 ERA over three starts in his rookie season, 2013.
On February 13, 2014, Karns was dealt to the Rays in exchange for catcher Jose Lobaton, left handed reliever Felipe Rivero and minor-league outfielder Drew Vettleson.
In the right hander's most recent start, July 9 at the Kansas City Royals' Kauffman Stadium, he surrendered nine hits and seven earned runs over six innings of work. Karns has had just one winning decision over his past ten starts, which date back to May 23 against the Oakland Athletics.
Drafted seventh overall in the first round of the 2014 amateur draft, Aaron Nola combined for a 14-7 record and a 2.57 ERA over 30 appearances, 29 starts and 164.2 innings in the Phillies' minor league system.
Aaron Nola's Minor League Career Statistics
Nola grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and attended college for three years at Louisiana State University under the major of Sports Administration. There, he was recognized for the following, as listed on his biography page at LSUSports.net:
2014 National Pitcher of the Year (College Baseball Foundation)
2014 Golden Spikes Award Finalist
2014 First-Team All-American (Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, ABCA, Perfect Game, NCBWA)
2014 SEC Pitcher of the Year; First-Team All-SEC
2014 NCAA Baton Rouge Regional All-Tournament Team
2014 SEC All-Tournament Team
SEC Pitcher of the Week (April 7, 2014)
2014 Louisiana Pitcher of the Year
2013 First-Team All-American (Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, ABCA, Perfect Game, NCBWA)
2013 National Pitcher of the Year Finalist
2013 SEC Pitcher of the Year
2013 Corbett Award Winner (Best Amateur Athlete in Louisiana)
2013 ABCA First-Team All-South Region
2013 NCAA Baton Rouge Regional All-Tournament Team
2013 Louisiana Pitcher of the Year
SEC Pitcher of the Week (April 22, 2013 and May 6, 2013)
2012 First-Team Freshman All-American (Collegiate Baseball; Perfect Game)
2012 Second-Team Freshman All-American (Baseball America)
2012 Freshman All-SEC
2012 NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team
2012 Second-Team All-Louisiana
Aaron Nola's College Career Statistics
Over 52 appearances that spanned 332.0 innings at LSU, Nola combined for a 30-6 record, 2.09 ERA, 346 strikeouts, and a 0.880 WHIP ratio.
Nola was originally drafted out of high school by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 22nd round of the 2011 amateur draft, but he chose to instead attend college. That's a decision the Phillies are surely thankful for today.
Nola made one appearance in Spring Training this season, March 27 in a rain-shortened match against the New York Yankees. He threw three scoreless innings and struck out five batters.
Aaron is the younger brother of Austin Nola, a 25-year-old middle-infielder in the Miami Marlins' organization, who also attended Louisiana State University.
Game Notes:
- Grady Sizemore was optioned to AAA Durham after last night's game. Sizemore led off and went 2-2 and walked.
- Maikel Franco will not start tonight but reportedly is available to pinch hit.
- Outfielder Steven Sousa will return from the disabled list and rejoin the Rays lineup tonight.
Starting Lineups:
| Tampa Bay Rays (47-48) | Philadelphia Phillies (33-62) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Batter | Bats | Position | Batter | Bats | ||
| 1 | LF | John Jaso | L | 1 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 2 | RF | Steven Souza | R | 2 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 3 | 3B | Evan Longoria | R | 3 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 4 | 1B | James Loney | L | 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L |
| 5 | 2B | Logan Forsythe | R | 5 | LF | Cody Asche | L |
| 6 | CF | Kevin Kiermaier | L | 6 | RF | Domonic Brown | L |
| 7 | CF | Jake Elmore | R | 7 | 3B | Andres Blanco | S |
| 8 | C | Rene Rivera | R | 8 | C | Cameron Rupp | R |
| 9 | P | Nathan Karns | R | 9 | P | Aaron Nola | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First-pitch: 7:05 pm EST
- TV: CSN
- Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
What's Next:
- Wednesday, July 22, 2015: vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 1:05 pm
- RHP Jake Odorizzi (5-6, 2.80 ERA) vs. LHP Adam Morgan (1-2, 3.91 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
