Phillies Select RHP Aaron Nola In First Round Of 2014 MLB Draft
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Phillies selected right-handed pitcher Aaron Nola with the 7th overall pick in the first round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, Marti Wolever, Assistant General Manager, Amateur Scouting, announced Thursday night.
One of three finalists for the Golden Spikes Award, given annually to college baseball's top player, Nola just completed his junior season at Louisiana State University. The 21-year-old went 11-1 in 16 starts with a 1.47 ERA and 134 strikeouts to only 27 walks in 116.1 total innings. The Tigers went 15-1 this season in his 16 starts.
Nola, 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, finished his career at LSU going 30-6 with a 2.09 ERA. He was honored as the Southeastern Conference's Pitcher of the Year in both 2013 and 2014.
A native of Baton Rouge, La., Nola was originally selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 22nd round of the 2011 draft, but did not sign. He is the younger brother of Austin Nola, a shortstop in the Miami Marlins farm system.
The Phillies selected left-handed pitcher Matt Imhof out of Cal Poly with the 47th overall pick in the second round.
The draft will continue Friday at 1 p.m. via conference call with rounds three through 10, and will conclude Saturday with rounds 11 through 40. The Phillies' first selection tomorrow will be the 81st overall pick in the third round.