5 bold Phillies predictions for the 2023 MLB season
By Tim Boyle
Bold Phillies prediction: Mick Abel makes an unflattering MLB debut in July
Mick Abel is one of two promising Phillies prospects fans are hoping to break the mold of this organization’s failing to develop competent pitchers. Over the last 50 years, there isn’t much outside of Cole Hamels and Aaron Nola. Abel is one of the young arms capable of becoming a quality big-league starter.
With a few starts at Double-A under his belt already, Abel looks on track to maybe reach the show this season. This prediction has him landing on the MLB roster sometime in July for an emergency start. Unfortunately, it’ll be one of those unflattering ones many pitchers suffer through in their big league debut.
Abel doesn’t turn 22 until August. His minor league career hasn’t been fantastic thus far. In 37 starts, he is 9-14 with a 4.06 ERA. That’s the bad. The good is the ERA has dropped each level. The team should have some patience to keep him in Double-A this season to start things off. In his five starts for Reading last year, Abel went 1-3 with a 3.52 ERA.
The Phillies do have some starting pitcher depth ahead of Abel, but none are all that exciting. Hans Crouse, Cristopher Sanchez, and others feel more like Four-A players already. By the time July rolls around, there are enough battered and bruised arms. In a pre-trade deadline attempt to find some innings, the Phillies turn to Abel and he throws up a dud.
Don’t worry, kid. It wasn’t your time.