The Philadelphia Phillies have had a reliable rotation in the past few seasons. Unlike in previous years, their rotation has some depth concerns entering the 2026 regular season. Ranger Suárez is now with the Boston Red Sox. Zack Wheeler is working his way back from surgery for venous thoracic outlet syndrome and won't be ready at the start of the season. Rookie Andrew Painter is likely to open the year in the team's rotation. Also, how will Aaron Nola do following an uncharacteristically bad season?
Nola looks to be extra motivated to put his 2025 season behind him based on his offseason work and two Grapefruit League starts. He achieved a feat with one of his pitches in his last start on March 4 versus Team Canada that he didn't accomplish last season until his seventh start of the regular season.
Aaron Nola maxed out his fastball during a Phillies Grapefruit League game
According to PHLY Sports' Corey Seidman, Nola's fastball maxed out at 93.9 mph during his March 4 start in a Grapefruit League game versus Team Canada. The right-hander didn't reach that velocity last season until May 3.
Aaron Nola’s fastball has maxed out today at 93.9 mph. He didn’t reach that velo until May 3 last season, spring training included.
— Corey Seidman (@CoreySeidman) March 4, 2026
Nola did well in his second game this spring in the Grapefruit League, as he pitched three innings, didn't allow any walks or earned runs, and compiled four strikeouts. Reaching a particular velocity on his fastball that took him a few starts into the regular season to achieve last year is another good sign that he may rebound following the worst season of his career in 2025.
In his first appearance this spring back on Feb. 27 in a split-squad game against the Miami Marlins, Nola pitched two innings and allowed one earned run, two hits, no walks, and totaled two strikeouts. According to NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury, Nola's fastball averaged 91.7 mph during this start. His fastball averaged 92.1 mph versus Team Canada, via The Athletic's Charlotte Varnes (subscription required).
Via Salisbury, Nola mentioned that his focus is on his command in assessing his disappointing 2025 season:
"Obviously, my focus is on command,” Nola said, per Salisbury. “But I’m trying to get some late jump on the fastball. I’m not going to be throwing 100 (mph), but the late life, that’s kind of what I’m focused on.”
Nola explained how he can get a late jump on his fastball:
“Extension,” he said, per Salisbury. “Trying to get the body in good position with the delivery. You’re always trying to keep your delivery sharp.”
Nola is off to a good start early on in the spring. He'll now pitch for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic before the start of the Phillies regular season on March 26. The veteran looks capable of rebounding in 2026 from his bad season last year.