Sunday is a big day for the Philadelphia Phillies organization and top pitching prospect Mick Abel. Still just 23 years old, the right-hander will make his major league debut at Citizens Bank Park when the Phillies wrap up their three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
We found out on Friday that Abel was coming up when the Phillies placed veteran Aaron Nola on the injured list. The team made it official on Sunday morning, announcing the roster move to add Abel to the 26-man roster, optioning right-hander Daniel Robert back to Triple-A.
Welcome to The Show, Mick Abel! pic.twitter.com/oJK5ooU9hF
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 18, 2025
Ahead of Saturday's game, Abel, who is currently ranked No. 8 in the Phillies' system by MLB Pipeline, spoke with the gathered media in the dugout. He provided some insight into his upcoming first big league start, and everything it means to him, with some heartwarming quotes.
Phillies prospect Mick Abel has heartwarming response to making his MLB debut
Abel found out he was getting the call from Triple-A to Philadelphia from his Lehigh Valley IronPigs manager Anthony Contreras — in front of the entire IronPigs team, no less.
“I was a little star struck at first," Abel said. "I put my head down and kind of really didn’t know how to feel. I was pretty overwhelmed, but once I stood up, the emotions kind of started flowing, and I was dapping guys up. It was fun.”
You can imagine the emotion Abel must have felt when he heard the news. After all, he had at one time been ranked as the Phillies' No. 2 prospect. After being drafted in the first round of the 2020 Draft, he had held on to the second spot in MLB Pipeline's rankings from 2021-24. But struggles, especially with command, over the past couple of years saw him drop to No. 8 ahead of this season.
But he turned things around in a big way. Abel posted a 2.53 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in eight Triple-A starts this season. He picked up 51 strikeouts in 46 1/3 innings and while he is still getting the walks under control, his 3.69 BB/9 is much improved from the 6.46 mark he posted last season.
Abel's first call? To his family, of course.
“It was super sweet," Abel said. "I called my dad, asked if my mom was in the room and put them on speaker, added my brother to the call, and told them I was going to the big leagues. They were as shocked as I was, so it was pretty cool.”
It's just one spot start — Abel will be heading back to Triple-A after Sunday's debut, no matter how it goes — but Phillies manager Rob Thomson is excited for the rookie to finally see the big league mound, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
Any time a guy makes his debut, whether it’s a position player or a pitcher, it’s always exciting," Thomson said on Saturday, per Zolecki. "He’s had a lot of focus on him since he signed as a high Draft pick. He’s had some struggles in the past, but he’s had a really good season this year.
"I told him, 'Hey, just come in here, it’s one start -- just go out there and be yourself. Enjoy the moment.'"
Mick Abel will make his MLB debut on Sunday. The 2020 1st-round pick spoke with poise about facing Pirates phenom Paul Skenes at Citizens Bank Park.
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“At the end of the day, it’s the same game. It’s just a different place.”
📹 Colin Newby | @ToNewbyginnings pic.twitter.com/uhMPpGOgPS
Abel will have his parents, older brother and his girlfriend there to watch his start against the Pirates and Paul Skenes. He's also expecting some close friends to join the throng of 44,000-plus Phillies fans at CBP, and will all rooting for him to show what he’s capable of.
“It’s awesome, I’m super excited," Abel said. "I've talked to a lot of people. I’m expecting all the nerves in the world, but at the end of the day, it’s the same game, just in a different place. But to make [my debut in Philadelphia] is pretty special.”