CLEARWATER, FL— Consistency is key, and for Aaron Nola, you cannot get any more consistent.
The longest-tenured member of the Philadelphia Phillies has enjoyed quite a successful run over the past 10 seasons. Nola is gearing up for his 11th season with the Phillies this spring and quietly has gone about his business.
Heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Tigers, Aaron held a 1.86 earned run average across 4 starts. He would conclude his Grapefruit League season with 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, and 1 HR allowed. 71 pitches, 44 were thrown for strikes. Nola finished with a 1.84 earned run average across his five Spring Training starts in 2025.
The Forgotten Arm?
With Zack Wheeler at the top of your rotation, it can be easy to overlook the arms that follow. Wheeler has been arguably the best pitcher in baseball since joining the Phillies, and after another Cy Young caliber season, all eyes are on Zack.
Then you have Cristopher Sanchez, the up-and-coming fireballer who broke out in 2024. Sanchez earned his first career All-Star nomination, and his uptick in velocity has drawn attention in camp. Cristopher has been selected by many to be a dark horse in the Cy Young award voting in 2025 and has high expectations placed on his shoulders.
Who could forget about Ranger Suarez, who pitched like the best in the game in the first half of 2024. Suarez’s injuries were the only hurdle keeping him from dominating baseball last season. With some flare-ups again in Spring Training, Ranger is a question mark to start the season. If the Phillies can get him back to health, who is to say what he will make of a contract season?
Last but not least, Jesús Luzardo joined the Phillies this offseason. After an injury-riddled 2024, Luzardo is trying to reclaim the success he saw in his breakout 2023 campaign with the Marlins. Rob Thomson named the lefty the team’s second starter to open the season. A move that allowed for Sanchez to pitch the home opener and split up the right-handers in the rotation. Luzardo is flashing his arm talent early in the exhibition season and is another player that fans are keeping a close eye on.
Aaron Nola’s Role
So where does that leave Aaron Nola?
The longtime Phillie doesn’t have any extra buzz or anticipation surrounding him as the Phillies open their season in Washington on Thursday. As the model of consistency, fans are expecting to see what they always see from Aaron. Roughly 200 innings pitched, 30 starts made, and 200 strikeouts punched from the right-hander have become the norm.
Not having any additional pressure or expectations from outside the locker room might prove to be beneficial for Nola. He has always been a player who has remained reserved. Aaron does not seek attention or the headlines of any story.
If Aaron Nola can build upon his previous success and deliver even better outings for the Phillies, that will bring them that much closer to the World Series. Their starting staff is regarded as one of the best in the league. The ace in Wheeler, the rising star in Sanchez, the contract year version of Suarez, and the newcomer in Luzardo all have their stories for the season.
For Aaron Nola in 2025, he will have to find his storyline and place in the rotation. If Spring Training is any indication, a quiet yet dominant performance may soon follow in 2025.
He will start on Sunday afternoon against the Washington Nationals.
Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
