Is Philadelphia Phillies Starter Aaron Nola Still An Ace?

The term "ace" is used too lightly now in baseball. It used to be reserved for only the top arms in the game. Now, it refers to whoever is the number one pitcher on a team's staff.

It can be overused.

But the term has been attached to Philadelphia Phillies starter Aaron Nola almost since the moment he was drafted with the seventh overall pick in the 2014 MLB draft. He was the type of player who would become an "ace." Then he made the Major Leagues and immediately made an impact.

Now, he just made his sixth consecutive Opening Day start to open the 2023 MLB season against the Texas Rangers.

Nola holds a career ERA of 3.65, a WHIP of 1.130 and a FIP of 3.30 over 1256.2 innings pitched. At first glance, the big numbers don't exactly spell "ace" but they don't tell the whole story.

The righty has been one of the most durable and dependable starters in the game. One who almost always takes the ball every fifth day. He has thrown over 180 innings in each of the last four seasons, not including the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season.

In the last six years, Nola has thrown more innings and made more starts than any other pitcher in baseball.

But perhaps more impressive is his strikeout per nine (K/9) rate which sits at 10.0 for his career. Jacob deGrom, Gerrit Cole and Chris Sale are the only other active pitchers with that same achievement.

He holds one of the lowest career walks per nine (BB/9) ratios in baseball. Ever.

So, Nola has the stuff to strikeout a ton of batters, doesn't walk many and pitches a lot of innings.

Historically in his career he has been the definition of an "ace."

But it's 2023 and Nola has not resembled any version of himself. In five starts this season, Nola has thrown 28.1 innings, allowed 18 runs, has K/9 of 7.0 and a BB/9 of 2.9.

Of his five starts, he has turned in three quality starts. Arguably his best performance came on Friday against the Colorado Rockies when he went 7.0 innings pitched and allowed just three earned runs while striking out three and walking three.

It was by no means a solid start by Nola's standards, but it was a step in the right direction.

So, back to the original question. Is Nola an ace?

By career standards, he is the absolute definition of an ace.

By 2023 standards, he has a lot to prove. Those innings on his arm, 230.2 of which came last season, takes a toll. He is likely feeling the effects of a long 2022 MLB season and a short spring.

As of right now, Nola cannot be relied upon to turn in a big performance in a pivotal spot. But he is improving with each start. The trend is there.

However, if the inconsistency that he has exhibited to start the season continues with nay length, the idea that Nola is an "ace" will have to be re-examined.

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