Before joining Team Italy for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Aaron Nola said that Italy made him a simple promise: pitch well, and at the very least, you’ll eat and drink well — a promise they certainly delivered on.
Nola recalled enjoying hearty Italian meals like chicken parmigiana paired with fine wine, and even joked about the stylish suits the team wore to the ballpark, though he admitted he only brought one suit and one T-shirt, which didn’t last long through the tournament’s intensity.
On the field, Nola was instrumental in Italy’s historic run to the semifinals, going 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA over two starts, striking out eight batters in nine innings, and earning a spot on the All-WBC team.
His four-seam fastball averaged 92.8 mph in the semifinal against Venezuela, a noticeable increase from his 2025 season, demonstrating that the high-level competition helped him sharpen his focus and velocity ahead of the MLB season.
Nola described the tournament as feeling like a playoff atmosphere, where the stakes were much higher than Spring Training games, giving him the chance to face elite lineups and improve his preparedness for the 2026 season with the Philadelphia Phillies.
He plans one more Grapefruit League start before the Phillies head to Philadelphia, with the hope that the confidence and sharpness gained in the WBC will carry over into Opening Day.
Off the field, Nola embraced the cultural side of the experience, forming connections to his Italian heritage and cherishing the memories he made, from signed jerseys to camaraderie with teammates, all of which deepened his bond with the country despite never having visited before.
Reflecting on the experience, Nola expressed that the WBC not only helped him grow as a player but also strengthened his connection to his ancestry, leaving him with souvenirs, stories, and a newfound appreciation for his roots — and perhaps leaving the door open to pitch for Italy again in future tournaments.
