Phillies promote Aaron Nola to triple A

Aaron Nola is one step away from joining the Phillies.

The team's top pitching prospect was promoted to triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday afternoon. Nola made 12 starts this season at double-A Reading. He was 7-3 with a 1.88 ERA. The righthander struck out 59 batters in 76.2 innings. His first start with the IronPigs will likely come on Thursday at Allentown's Coca-Cola Park.

Nola made his final start with Reading on Saturday night.The 22-year-old allowed two runs in five innings with five strikeouts and one walk. He proved dominant at that level this season. He walked two batters just once in 12 starts. He had twice allowed more than two earned-runs.

The Phillies drafted Nola last June with the seventh pick in the draft.