CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Phillies will offer fans a glimpse of the future on Friday when pitcher Aaron Nola starts against the New York Yankees in a Grapefruit League game at Bright House Field.
The game will be televised on The Comcast Network. First pitch is 1 p.m.
Nola, 22, was the Phillies’ top pick (No. 7 overall) in last year’s draft. The right-hander from LSU is projected to open the season at Double A Reading, but is considered a “fast-tracker” who could push for a spot in the majors later this season.
The decision to bring Nola up for a day was not sudden. Team officials had long planned to take a look at the pitcher in a big-league setting toward the end of camp.
“It’s so he can see what it’s like and what to expect when it’s his time, and also so we can eyeball him, too,” pitching coach Bob McClure said.
"I'm looking forward to seeing him," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "We want him to experience a little bit of major-league camp and get his feet wet."
Sandberg added that he will be looking to see "composure and strikes" from Nola.
MLB
"Showing what you can do in this environment can go a long way in player development," Sandberg said.
The Phillies will take a look at another minor-league prospect on Tuesday as right-hander Severino Gonzalez makes the start against the Braves at Disney World. Gonzalez, 22, was the Phillies’ minor-league pitcher of the year (Paul Owens Award) in 2013 and he made 27 starts at Double A last season. He could be in line to pitch at Triple A this season.
With Gonzalez pitching in Tuesday’s big-league game, veteran Aaron Harang will make his scheduled start in a minor-league game at Carpenter Complex. Harang missed two starts earlier this spring with lower back soreness. McClure said he wanted Harang to pitch in a more controlled setting to ensure that the pitcher gets a handful of “ups and downs” between innings.
Harang lines up to pitch either the second or third game of the regular season.