That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies best individual pitching seasons from the last 50 years

By Kerry Kauffman

COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 24: Hall of Famer Steve Carlton is introduced at Clark Sports Center during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 24, 2016 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 24: Hall of Famer Steve Carlton is introduced at Clark Sports Center during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 24, 2016 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – JULY 30: Aaron Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the first inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 30, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Aaron Nola emerged as the Phillies ace this season. How does his season rank among Phillies best? Here are the top ten Phillies individual pitching seasons.

The Phillies improved 14 games from the 2017 season, but still have holes to fill to be viable contenders. One core piece moving forward is Aaron Nola, who proved to be the ace of the staff after an outstanding season. Where does his season rank among best in franchise history? Here’s a look at the top ten individual starting pitching seasons over the past half-century.

Factors considered include wins, innings pitched, strikeouts, ERA, WHIP, and K/9 innings. Extra consideration awarded for league leader and Cy Young award.

10 – John Denny (1983)

In his first full season in Philadelphia, Denny helped the “Wheeze Kids” to the NL Championship. He led the league in wins with 19 and posted an ERA of 2.37. Denny logged 242 2/3 innings over 36 starts, completing seven games. In the best season of his career, Denny won the NL Cy Young Award.  He retired following the 1986 season with 123 wins and a 3.59 ERA.

9 – Aaron Nola (2018)

Nola had the finest season of his young career, winning 17 games with a 2.37 ERA.  Following a six-win season in 2016 and 12 in 2017, Nola became the ace of the Phillies staff and one of the top pitchers in the league. He allowed only 149 hits in 212 1/3 innings, striking out 224. Had Nola led the league in any of these categories, his 2018 season would have been higher on the list.

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