Back in September 2015, after his 10th major league start, I assessed Aaron Nola’s ability to carve up hitters and economically win ballgames as an emerging top-rotation starter for the Phillies.
Tuesday, after his 19th major league start, Nola sits at 2-2 with a 2.93 ERA this season. His 44 strikeouts and 7 walks indicate a pitcher with masterful command and whiff ability. He’s fourth in the majors in strikeouts, fourth in the majors in WHIP, fifth in the National League in K/BB and eighth in the league in pitcher rWAR (1.2). Extrapolate that over an entire season and you have a 6.