Phillies sign Nola

PHILADELPHIA - The Phillies have signed their first-round pick, right-handed pitcher Aaron Nola.

Nola, an LSU product who was selected seventh overall, was one of three finalists for the Golden Spikes Award, given annually to college baseball’s top player.

The 21-year-old went 11-1 in 16 starts with a 1.47 ERA and 134 strikeouts to only 27 walks in 116.1 total innings. The Tigers went 15-1 this season in his 16 starts.

Nola, 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, finished his career at LSU going 30-6 with a 2.09 ERA. He was honored as the Southeastern Conference’s Pitcher of the Year in both 2013 and 2014, the only player in conference history to win the award twice.

A native of Baton Rouge, La., Nola was originally selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 22nd round of the 2011 draft, but did not sign. He is the younger brother of Austin Nola, a shortstop in the Miami Marlins farm system.