Last week Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro said that pitching prospect Aaron Nola could be called up not long after the All-Star break.

While people have been talking about Nola coming up virtually the entire season, he says that it really hasn't been much of a distraction - he'll be ready to go when called upon.

"It's pretty easy for me to block all that stuff out," Nola told me on the Sports Bash.  "Focus on the present and focus on where I am right now, and focusing on preparing for each start I have and right now that's at Lehigh."

(Listen to the full interview with Aaron Nola on the Sports Bash)

In 17 games between Double-A and Triple-A ball, Nola is 10-3 with a 2.03 ERA but he said even with the success he is having there is no timetable on when the will get the call to the majors.  The No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft has looked ready for the majors sometime now and is certainly a better option line of journeyman that have toed the rubber in Philly this season, but the club isn't ready to give him a shot just yet.

"They really haven't expressed to me, but I'm going to try to be ready as best as possible," Nola stated.  "All I can do is stay focused on where I am right now and everytime I go between the lines on the mound and give it everything I have."

His next scheduled start is slated for tonight in Rochester for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, there had been some speculation that Nola could be promoted to make his major league debut on Tuesday, the Phillies do not have a pitcher listed to start on that day just yet.

One things for sure, if the Phillies call, Nola will be ready.

 

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