Glen Macnow: 'Aaron Nola Toying With Competition'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- 94WIP's Glen Macnow went out to Reading to watch the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils today. The Fightin Phils won 4-0 behind another dominating outing from Aaron Nola.
Q: Glen what did you see?
A: I have seen the future and his name is Aaron Nola. The Phillies' top draft pick last year (No. 7 overall) was masterful today, throwing seven scoreless – four singles, one walk, seven strikeouts. He varied speeds – going from a 94 mile-per-hour fastball to a knee-buckling breaking ball that clocked at just 76. Had one nine-pitch inning.
Nola is now 6-2 with a 1.54 ERA at Double-A. This kid is toying with the competition.
Q: Break down the specifics of what you saw.
A: He got in front of hitters, moved the ball around – owned the mound. He's got excellent control – 70 strikes on 103 pitches today. He works fast. He's not afraid to pitch inside. One other thing I liked – he got in one bases-loaded jam because of a bloop single, a poor fielding play and a walk. Didn't get rattled – he induced a double play. Nola may not be a guy that blows away hitters, but he knows the art of pitching.
Q: So you were impressed. How about the Phillies brass?
A: [Phillies general manager] Ruben Amaro Jr. and [President] Pat Gillick were watching, but locked away from my prying questions. I did speak with Dickie Noles, who was there for the Phils. He, too, praised Nola's poise and his control. Called him a strike-throwing machine. I asked Noles if Nola is ready for the majors. His response? Nola's good enough to be there now, but the Phils don't want to rush him. They want Nola to get seasoning.
Q: Anyone else you saw today who might fit into their future?
A: The leadoff man, centerfielder Roman Quinn, looks like a good one. A small guy, but he launched a homer last night. Today he legged out a double, took third on a routine fly to center and scored on an infield out. Amazing speed. And he can track them in the outfield. How about Quinn's the Phils starting centerfielder next year, and Nola moves up to Triple-A now and enters the rotation by July?
