Many Philadelphia Phillies fans have already thrown in the towel regarding longtime ace Aaron Nola, viewing his horrifying 2025 season as the beginning of a rapid decline for the former All-Star. Nola’s decision to pitch for Team Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic was greeted with a healthy dose of skepticism, but his dominant performance in the team’s final game of pool play should inspire confidence for a bounce back season.
The seventh overall pick back in 2014, Nola came to the Phillies with loads of potential during one of the darkest periods in franchise history. It didn’t take long for the Louisiana native to make good on that promise, as he made his big league debut in July of the following year and immediately took up the mantle of staff ace.