No. 2: Aaron Nola
Aaron Nola is another name that shouldn't come as a surprise to be starting ball games for the Phillies in 2025. The Phillies re-signed Nola to a seven-year, $172 million deal as a free agent this offseason.
The 30-year-old homegrown talent is likely to finish his career with the Phillies and will now slot into the No. 2 spot in the rotation for years to come. Nola was one of the first members of this roster's core when he first made his debut in 2015. He wanted the chance to finish what he started in Philadelphia, and now he has the opportunity to chase a championship, and scatter his name across the Phillies All-Time record books.
Nola is off to a great start in 2024. He's 3-1 with a 3.16 ERA with 26 strikeouts and a 1.09 WHIP in 31 1/3 innings pitched. The results have been solid following a 2023 season that was inconsistent at best, as he seemed to let his impending free agency get into his head at times.
Getting accustomed to the pitch clock was another factor in his uneven 2023. Finishing 12-9 with a disappointing 4.46 ERA, Nola and the coaching staff made a late-season adjustment that fixed a mechanical flaw, and he has carried that success over into 2024.
No. 3: Ranger Suárez
Ranger Suárez has been on another level to start the 2024 season. The 28-year-old lefty is currently 4-0 with a 1.36 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 34 innings pitched. He followed up his complete game shutout against the Rockies with another scoreless seven innings on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds. That's now 25 scoreless innings dating back to April 4. Suárez is arguably the best pitcher in the majors right now.
Ranger Suarez has a 1.36 ERA this season -- leads all LHP in NL.
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) April 23, 2024
Has a 25 inning scoreless streak. Hasn't allowed an earned run since April 6 (4th inning at Nationals). #Phillies
It's a safe bet that Suárez will again slot into the No. 3 spot in the rotation. A free agent following the 2026 season, he'll remain a major part of the rotation for the next three seasons. He has a knack for getting ground ball outs, and with his incredible defense on the mound, can win a game in more than one way without relying on strikeouts.
Can Suárez maintain his current level of success? Right now, his starts are appointment viewing in the Philadelphia area.
No. 4: Cristopher Sánchez
Cristopher Sánchez has pitched much better than his numbers in 2024 would indicate. Currently 1-3 with a 3.70 ERA, Sanchez was arguably a victim of poor run support in his first three outings of the season. Aside from a tough game in Cincinnati on Tuesday, and a 4 1/3 inning start against the Washington Nationals, when he allowed six hits and three earned runs, the 27-year-old left-hander has more than done his job at the back end of the Phillies rotation.
Sánchez's slider kept Rockies hitters honest during his scoreless six-inning start last Wednesday.
Cristopher Sánchez, Filthy 86mph Back Foot Slider. 😷
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 17, 2024
10th K pic.twitter.com/Z9g9N8xw9H
Coming out of spring training, many questioned whether the rotation was strong enough with Sánchez as the No. 5 starter. Right now, he's starting to prove his critics wrong, and if his recent stretch is indicative of a breakthrough on the mound, the Phillies will have him under contract at a controllable cost until he reaches free agency in 2029. If he can fix some flaws fielding his position, Sánchez could be one of the best No. 4 starters come 2025.
NEXT: Who will claim the No. 5 spot in the Phillies' 2025 Opening Day rotation?