CLEARWATER, Fla. – Aaron Nola returned to Phillies camp Wednesday with a smile, a duffel bag full of memories from his first World Baseball Classic, and a feeling of optimism for the coming season.

Nola pitched well for Team Italy in two starts in the WBC, so well that he was one of three pitchers named to the All-Tournament team. The others were 2025 National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes and fourth-place finisher Logan Webb.

Nola pitched nine innings in the tournament, allowed one run and struck out eight. The velocity on his fastball was encouraging. He averaged 92.8 mph in his two starts and topped out at 94.5 mph in his semifinal start against eventual champion Venezuela on Monday night. He reached 94.1 in his first start against Mexico.

Last year, Nola’s fastball averaged under 92 mph and he struggled through a disappointing, injury-marred season in which he made just 17 starts and had a career-worst 6.01 ERA.

Nola changed his workout routine this winter, got going a little earlier than usual and did more long-tossing. The hope was to add more arm strength, which would improve his velocity and provide more offset with his off-speed pitches. Against Mexico in the WBC, Nola had an excellent curveball. The pitch produced seven swings and misses.

“I started (offseason) prep early because I didn’t throw that much last year,” Nola said. “I prepared for the WBC smartly and I felt like I could go 100 percent over there. My arm and my body felt good. I had to be ready for playoff atmosphere.”

Will all this translate into a better 2026 season?

“I hope so,” he said. “Those games were obviously bigger than spring training games here in Florida. It gets you more prepared facing really good lineups. I hope it does help.”

Nola’s final spring start will be Sunday against the Yankees in Clearwater. He lines up to make his first regular-season start a week from Saturday against Texas in the second game of the regular season.

Nola’s father, A.J., has roots in Italy. He agreed to pitch for Italy in the WBC because he wanted to play with his brother Austin, a former big-league catcher who was recently hired as bullpen coach by the Seattle Mariners. When Austin had to back out of the WBC because of his day job, Aaron decided to stick with the team.

“I’m glad I did,” he said. “It was fun. I knew it was going to be fun just by talking to guys in it before. The whole organization with Team Italy was awesome.”

Nola marveled at the electric environment of the WBC. He likened the scene in Miami during Monday night’s semifinal against Venezuela to Red October in Philadelphia.

“It compares, for sure,” he said. “It was one of the loudest places I’ve been in.”

One of Nola’s teammates with Team Italy was outfielder Dante Nori, the Phillies’ first-round draft pick in 2024. Nori, 21, hit .400 (8 for 20) with two homers and six RBIs for Italy. He, too, made the All-Tournament team.

“He’s a good all-around player,” Nola said. “He can hit, run and hit for power.”

Nola has never visited Italy but he plans to after making friends with Italian-born teammates and staffers. Before leaving the tournament, he had his teammates sign his uniform jersey. He plans to hang it at his home.

Clearly, the experience left a good taste in Nola’s mouth.

Either that or it was the snacks the team provided.

“We had some good parmesan and wine in the clubhouse,” he said with a laugh.