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Brian Smith On Aaron Nola: 'He Probably Is Ready For The Big Leagues'

By Ray Boyd

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Sports writer Brian Smith of the Reading Eagle joined Angelo Cataldi and the Morning Team  on Monday to discuss the team that a lot of Phillies fans have their eyes on, the Reading Fightin Phils.

That team is made up of some of the organization's key young prospects, none of which is more intriguing to the fan base than pitcher Aaron Nola. Many want to see Nola waste no more time in the minors and make his way to Philadelphia now.

Is Nola ready for the jump?

"I think he probably is ready for the big leagues," Smith said of Nola. "He's certainly ready for Triple-A."

LISTEN: The Reading Eagle's Brian Smith discusses Phillies prospect Aaron Nola

So what is the hold up?

"They seem to want to take it slow with him," Smith said as he described the organization's approach to handling Nola.

The slow approach seems to be "the process," that Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. wants the Phillies fans to understand. Despite a longing from the organization to make this a slow process for Nola, Smith understands why fans want to see him sooner rather than later.

"He's so composed. He's very advanced I think for a guy who was just drafted last year," Smith said of Nola.

Nola, 22, is 7-3 on the season with a 1.76 ERA with 54 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting .214 against him through 71.2 innings pitched.

 

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