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Who are the Phillies 2016 starting pitchers? (Aaron Nola, Vincent Velasquez) – Metro US
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Who are the Phillies 2016 starting pitchers? (Aaron Nola, Vincent Velasquez)

Who are the Phillies 2016 starting pitchers? (Aaron Nola, Vincent Velasquez)
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Remember when the Phillies had four aces (plus Joe Blanton)?

Now they have four guys you’ve probably never heard of (plusAaron Nola).

Here’s a look at the five guys you’ll be seeing take to the mound every five games, and a few others who are looking to take their jobs this summer:

1. Jeremy Hellickson

Hellicksonburst onto the scene winning the 2011 AL Rookie of the Year Award in Tampa Bay, but has been a mediocre pitcher since. Philly hopes he can regain the form that saw him go 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA.He also won a Gold Glove award in 2012. He’s been tagged as the Opening Day starter and will take the hill in Cincinnati on April 4.

2. Aaron Nola

Nola proved he belongs in the bigs after a solid rookie campaign for the Phils in 2015. He went 6-2 with a 3.59 ERA in 13 starts last year and a mature disposition on the mound. While his ceiling is likely as a No. 3 (on a playoff caliber team), he’s currently putting together a solid spring and is likely the biggest fan-draw as far as pitchers go in Philly… for now. He’ll pitch the Phillies’ second game in Cincy as well as the home opener against the Padres on April 11.

3. Charlie Morton

Morton’s delivery is nearly identical to former Phillies’ Cy Young Award-winner Roy Halladay. But the similarities end there. While the veteran had bouts of success with the Pirates, the 32-year-old has won double-digit games just once and has a career 45-70 mark. His experience will be an asset for such a young pitching staff but don’t expect Morton to be in South Philly long.

4. Jerad Eickhoff

The 25-year-old Eickhoff went 3-3 with a solid 2.65 ERA in eight starts with the Phillies last season after coming to the squad as part of the Cole Hamels trade. In his Phils’ debut he threw six-shutout innings last August. The Phillies hope Eickhoff can seize and solidify himself as a member of the rotation long-term.

5. Vincent Velasquez

The former Astro only got a handful of big league innings in with Houston before an injury ended his 2015 season, but after being sent to Philly via trade, Velasquez has pitched his way onto the five-spot. The strikeout maven (he ousted58 batters over 55.2 innings last year) outperformedAdam Morgan to earn the spot and at 23, the future is bright for Velasquez.

Not far behind: Adam Morgan, Jake Thompson, Zach Eflin and Mark Appel

The Phillies Triple-A rotation in Lehigh Valley is likely as good (or better) than any minor league staff in baseball. These four represent the future of the Phils rotation and should struggles, injuries or stellar performances emerge during the year these guys could get their first taste of Citizen’s Bank Park.