Mick Abel, RHP
Dave Dombrowski had some high praise for Mick Abel, which gave fans a glimpse of his potential plan for the 22-year-old. He revealed how much of a special pitcher he thinks Abel is and what he could be at the major league level, saying that though he doesn’t see him breaking camp with the big league club, he sees him joining the team at some point in the middle of the season.
With Andrew Painter down for the year after having Tommy John surgery, Abel is the top prospect in the organization for 2024. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 190 pounds, he is a power pitcher with a 55/65 grade fastball that sits 95-97 mph and a plus breaking ball that he uses as his out pitch.
The Phillies are very high on Abel’s talent and see him as a top-end starter for them for a long time, so they won’t rush him to the majors this year if he isn’t ready but the growth he showed last year proves that he is right on the cusp.
Mick Abel dealt all year for the Phillies organization. He was selected to play in the Futures Game. The pitcher capped off the incredible year in this last month of the season with 21 Ks in 3 games including 6 in his Triple-A debut. pic.twitter.com/vokf7w3d5n
— Milb Central (@milb_central) December 10, 2023
The front office will keep a close eye on Abel’s control and command at the start of the season to give them an inclination as to where he is in his development. As the right-hander has progressed through the minor leagues, his biggest weakness has been his tendency to give up walks at a high rate and lose the strike zone at times.
There's a lot of anticipation for when Abel will make his debut, and when he does, he has the opportunity to change the trajectory of the franchise.