Phillies top pitching prospect Aaron Nola to make debut Tuesday

Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Aaron Nola will make his MLB debut against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday

Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Aaron Nola will make his MLB debut against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, the team announced on Friday.

Nola is ranked by Baseball America as the top pitching prospect in the Phillies organization and as their No. 2 prospect overall. The right-hander was the No. 7 pick in the 2014 MLB draft.

The 22-year-old started the season at Double A, going 7–3 with an 1.88 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 12 games before being promoted to Triple A. In six Triple A starts, Nola went 3–1 with a 3.58 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. He was chosen for the recent MLB All-Star Futures Game, but did not pitch in it. 

Nola will become the first Philadelphia pitcher to make his MLB debut the year after he was drafted since Pat Combs debuted in 1989 after being drafted in the first round in 1988.

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The Phillies enter the second half of the season with the worst record in the majors at 29–62. They host the Miami Marlins on Friday night.

- Molly Geary