New York Yankees News: Nolan Ryan Weighs in on Nathan Eovaldi

With the Yankees spending some time in the Lone Star State this weekend against the Houston Astros, there were plenty of familiar faces in town. One of them was Alvin, Texas Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, who was able to catch up and chat with Nathan Eovaldi, who happens to be from the same exact town.

Back to his grassroots, Eovaldi pitched on Friday night against the Astros and earned his second consecutive win, tossing six innings of two run baseball. He allowed five hits and struck out six while walking just two. It was another solid performance out of the 25-year old right-hander, who improved to 7-2 with 4.81 ERA.

According to David Barron of the Houston Chronicle, Nolan Ryan was impressed with Eovaldi’s progress so far as a Yankee.

"“I’ve followed ever since he was high school, and then when the Dodgers signed him (after the 2008 draft), Charlie Hough was over there and I asked Charlie about him and he said he really liked him and thought he had a lot of potential,” Ryan said.“He pitched a really good game and probably has one of the better arms in baseball. He knows how to pitch and has a good idea of what he’s trying to do. The Yankees made themselves a good deal (by acquiring Eovaldi in an offseason trade with Miami). He’s making adjustments and learning how to survive at this level and how to progress at this level.”"

Hearing such positive comments about Eovaldi from one of the games finest pitchers is music to all Yankees fans ears. All season long it’s been the curious case of Nathan Eovaldi. He’s tied for the sixth most hits allowed in the MLB to date (106) and is the 15th worst pitcher in terms of ERA with a sky high 4.81, yet the young right-hander has compiled an impressive 7-2 record in 15 starts so far this season.

His next start will likely come against the Tampa Bay Rays next weekend at home in what’s shaping up to be another battle for first place in the A.L. East.

Let’s see how the young right-hander does in his next start, which might just be the biggest one of his pinstripe career thus far.

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