10. PHI – Velasquez/Nola
Velasquez: 48.1 IP, 5-1, 2.42 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 59 K
Nola: 60 IP, 3-3, 2.85 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 64 K
Starting off the list is the youngest 1-2 combination of any team in the MLB. The Phillies were not expecting either of these young hurlers to experience this type of success this early on in their major league careers, but both righties have been excellent. Vincent Velasquez and Aaron Nola both have ERA’s under 3.00 and strikeout rates of over one putout every inning.
Velasquez is more of a hard thrower, while Nola uses his off speed pitches to get swings and misses. The former was Philadelphia’s 1st round pick (7th overall) in 2014 and the club traded for Velasquez when the team dealt Ken Giles to Houston. Both were highly ranked prospects coming through the minors and should continue to climb up this list as they make more starts.
Next: Number 9