Philadelphia Phillies: 5 reasons they are exceeding expectations
By Tim Haberin
Young Arms Anchoring Rotation
If you want to take a closer look at the Phillies’ surprising start, the rotation is a pretty good place to begin. Two hurlers in particular are leading the charge: Vince Velasquez and Aaron Nola.
Velasquez, acquired in the Ken Giles trade with the Houston Astros during the offseason, has not only been Philadelphia’s best starter so far, but one of the most effective pitchers in the league. In 31.1 innings, he has allowed only five earned runs for a 1.44 ERA that currently ranks sixth among NL starters (min. 20 IP).
Nola, the Phils’ first round pick in the 2014 draft, made his debut last July and has come roaring out of the gate in his first full major league season. In 40 frames he sports a 2.93 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 6.29 K/BB ratio.
The best part about the early success of this pair of right-handers? These guys are young: in the first week of June, Velasquez will turn 24 and Nola will be 23. Add 25-year-old Jerad Eickhoff into the mix, and this group has the makings of a very strong pitching staff for years to come.
Next: Successful Sophomore