5-18-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X
It’s been a windy road to the bigs for Phillies pitcher Mick Abel, who was a first round pick and surged through the Phils system before stagnating due to injuries and inconsistency as he spent parts of the past three seasons at the top minor league affiliate before finally earning his call-up today.
Abel makes the jump to Philadelphia after posting a 5-2 record, 2.53 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 51 strikeouts over his 46.1 innings at AAA Lehigh Valley this year.
The 6’5, 23-year old righty was drafted out of high school with the 15th pick in 2020. While Abel was off to a slow start this season as he allowed four runs in 2 of his first 3 outings, he has surrendered just 4 runs over his last 4 starts and 25 innings.
Abel can get wild at times as he has allowed 2 or more walks in 7 of 8 games this season, giving up free passing 4 or more times 10 times last year.
Abel utilizes a 4-seam and sinker sitting in the mid-90s, a low-80s curve, mid-80s slider and high-80s changeup.
If he can locate his offerings, he will miss bats and generate silly-looking whiffs. If not, Bucs bats should look to work counts and take walks.
Look to target hanging breaking balls or sinkers that don’t sink. He’s getting a ton of whiffs on the curve and changeup dropping down in the zone so hitters will need to watch for that sharp break and hold off if possible.
Steel City Pirates 