A year since he was drafted, Nola still on fast forward

READING - This past year has gone quickly for righthander Aaron Nola, as quickly as he has risen through the Phillies' minor-league ranks.

A little more than a year ago, Nola was the Phillies' first-round draft choice, seventh overall from LSU. Now Nola, who turned 22 on June 4, may soon be on the move again.

All that is known for sure is that he will pitch Saturday for double-A Reading against the visiting Akron RubberDucks, the affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.

"This last year has gone by really quick," Nola said. "I remember my draft day like it was yesterday, sitting and waiting for my name to get called, and it is a day I will never forget."

While there has been speculation that a move to triple A might be imminent, the Phillies have remained tight-lipped about their top pitching prospect.

Nola said he doesn't concern himself with all the hype, although he understands that his performance has been a topic of great interest for the pitching-starved Phillies fans.

"I try not to listen to it too much," he said. "I am pretty good at blocking that stuff out and focusing on where I am right now."

Where he is right now is in a dominant position for the Fightin Phils in the Eastern League.

In 11 starts, he is 7-3 with a 1.76 ERA and a minuscule 0.87 WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched).

"He might not have overpowering stuff, but he really knows how to pitch," said a major-league scout who has seen Nola several times. "I think he can be a No. 3 starter in the big leagues."

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Nola throws his fastball in the 91-93 m.p.h. range.

He got a taste of double-A ball last year, pitching five games at the end of the season after beginning at high-A Clearwater. Since he threw 1161/3 innings at LSU in 2014, Nola was on an innings limit last season, going no more than five innings per start.

This year, he has gone seven or more innings in seven of his 11 starts.

"I feel a lot stronger this year," Nola said. ". . . I really have liked this year, going out and going as deep as I can in games and giving the team the best chance to win."

Reading manager Dusty Wathan said he sees two areas of great improvement since last season.

"Holding runners is a big thing," Wathan said. "I also think his breaking ball has gotten a lot better than last year."

Nola differs slightly from Wathan on his area of biggest improvement.

"I feel my change-up has improved mostly," Nola said. "I am still working on my curveball and still working on getting it more consistent where I want it to be."

Nola, who appeared in seven games with Clearwater to begin his professional career last season, got an up-close look at minor-league life before he was drafted.

His brother Austin is a shortstop for the Miami Marlins' double-A Jacksonville team. Austin Nola has been in the organization since his fifth-round selection in 2012.

"He obviously helped me and gave me tips about what it is all about," Aaron Nola said. "And I went to some of his games when I was back in college and he was in pro ball, and I saw kind of what it was like."

A little more than a year into his professional career, Nola will let others worry about his next destination.

"I feel if you execute all your pitches and mix your pitches well, throw your pitches with conviction, you will succeed," he said.

@sjnard