4 pitchers Dombrowski says could provide valuable depth to Phillies rotation in 2024

Even though the starting rotation is set, the Phillies are still examining their options for pitching depth next season.

Philadelphia Phillies prospect Mick Abel could appear in the starting rotation in 2024
Philadelphia Phillies prospect Mick Abel could appear in the starting rotation in 2024 | Steph Chambers/GettyImages
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Mick Abel

Mick Abel is the pitching prospect closest to making an impact for the Phillies in 2024. With top pitching prospect Andrew Painter expected to miss significant time rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and fellow prospect Griff McGarry still trying to find consistency facing Triple-A hitters, Abel seems to have the best shot at a call-up next season.

Abel showed promise during his 22 starts for Double-A Reading in 2023. The 22-year-old right-hander pitched to a record of 5-5, with a 4.14 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 108 2/3 innings pitched. In his lone appearance for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Abel tossed 4 2/3 innings, striking out six and allowing two earned runs. A longer look at Triple-A hitters is the likely move for Abel to begin next season, according to Dave Dombrowski.

“Not counting on breaking camp with the club,” Dombrowski said at the Winter Meetings, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. “But I've been with young guys who are very talented, and you never can tell when they all of a sudden -- boom -- find it."

Will 2024 be the year Mick Abel makes the jump to the big club? It's very likely — if he can dominate Triple-A hitters and stay healthy. In a farm system that struggled to develop starting pitchers before recent success stories like Aaron Nola and Ranger Suárez, the steady development of young arms will signal a promising new direction for the Philadelphia Phillies player development program.

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