The Philadelphia Phillies have a very good farm system with four prospects in the top 100 across Major League Baseball, per MLB Pipeline. One player who was regarded as a foundational piece for the Phillies not too long ago has put his name back in the mix after struggling for much of the 2024 season.
Did Phillies top prospect Mick Abel do enough to put his name back in the mix for 2025?
Mick Abel is the Phillies’ No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, but he was higher earlier this year. The 2020 first-round pick was also on the Top 100 prospects list, but he fell out of the picture as the season progressed.
Abel is 3-12 with a 6.46 ERA in 24 starts in Triple-A this season. The 23-year-old struggled so much that the organization placed him on the development list on Aug. 1 to give him a chance to relax and fix his approach.
The right-hander was reactivated on Aug. 9 and tossed six scoreless innings of three-hit baseball. Abel’s second start after his short trip to the development list was just as good. He pitched five innings, allowed three hits, one unearned run and struck out seven batters.
Abel hit a speed bump in his last two starts of August after the two impressive outings before. He pitched a combined 10 innings while allowing 16 hits, nine earned runs and three walks in those two starts to close out the month.
Abel is looking to end 2024 on a high note. He pitched a combined 8 1/3 innings and allowed six hits and four earned runs in his first two starts of September. He struck out 14 batters in that time.
Mick Abel racks up a season-high 9 strikeouts in just 4 frames 🔥
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 12, 2024
The @Phillies' No. 6 prospect has 43 K's in 29 1/3 innings since the start of August for the Triple-A @IronPigs: pic.twitter.com/PycssH4335
Abel couldn't carry that same success into his most recent start Tuesday night. He pitched 2 1/3 innings and allowed eight hits, eight earned runs and three walks. He recorded just one strikeout. The IronPigs have five games remaining this season, so Abel may have one more chance to prove to the organization that he should remain in the mix for a rotation spot with the big league club in 2025.
Phillies’ top pitching prospects fighting for rotation spot in 2025
The Phillies have two pitching prospects with major-league talent knocking on the door to find a spot in the starting rotation. Abel is one of those prospects, and the other one is 2021 first-round pick Andrew Painter.
Painter is recovering from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in 2023. The 21-year-old was forced to miss the previous two seasons, but he’s progressing well in his rehab. Painter was set to join the Phillies’ starting rotation in 2023 after just one full season in the minor leagues, but he injured his elbow in spring training which ultimately led to the surgery.
The Phillies have a lot to think about with the No. 5 starter spot in 2025. Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola and Cristopher Sánchez are under contract long-term, and Ranger Suárez won’t be a free agent until 2026. Taijuan Walker still has two years left on his four-year, $72 million contract.
Painter will likely be the No. 5 starter in 2025, assuming he’s fully healthy. Abel could force the Phillies to make a tough decision if he finishes the season strong, and if he has a good spring training. Regardless of what happens, this is a good situation for the organization to be in.