Introduction
The Philadelphia Phillies have consistently sought to build a sustainable foundation through a strong farm system. One of the crown jewels of that effort is Mick Abel, a highly touted pitching prospect who continues to garner attention across Major League Baseball. As of 2025, Abel is climbing the ranks in the Phillies organization and MLB overall.
This article dives into Mick Abel’s MLB Prospect Ranking in 2025, provides a detailed scouting report, and explores how he fits into the Philadelphia Phillies’ future plans.
Who is Mick Abel?
Mick Abel, born on August 18, 2001, in Portland, Oregon, was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies with the 15th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. He was the first high school pitcher taken in that class, coming out of Jesuit High School with a fastball that touched the upper 90s and a mound presence well beyond his years.
Quick Facts:
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Full Name: Mick Abel
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Team: Philadelphia Phillies
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Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
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Throws/Bats: Right/Right
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Height/Weight: 6’5”, 190 lbs
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Drafted: 15th overall in 2020 (1st round)
Mick Abel: MLB Prospect Ranking 2025
As of mid-2025, Mick Abel remains one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. While his ranking has seen some fluctuations due to other breakout stars and his own development curve, he consistently ranks within the Top 50 across multiple platforms like MLB Pipeline, Baseball America, and FanGraphs.
MLB Pipeline 2025 Ranking:
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Overall Prospect Rank: #41
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Team Rank (Phillies): #2 (behind Andrew Painter)
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Top Pitching Prospect Rank: #12 among all pitchers
Abel’s stock has stayed relatively strong thanks to a blend of raw stuff, size, and makeup that still projects him as a future front-end starter.
Scouting Report: Mick Abel
1. Fastball (Grade: 60/80)
Abel’s fastball sits comfortably in the 94-97 mph range and has reached up to 99 mph in high-leverage situations. The pitch has good riding life and late explosion at the top of the zone, making it effective for strikeouts and inducing weak contact.
2. Slider (Grade: 55/80)
His slider is a sharp, tight-breaking pitch in the low-80s. Abel has improved its command and shape, making it an effective weapon against right-handed hitters. Scouts consider it a true out pitch when tunneled well off his fastball.
3. Changeup (Grade: 50/80)
The changeup is a work in progress but has flashed above-average potential. It sits in the mid-80s with fading action and helps keep left-handed batters honest.
4. Curveball (Grade: 50/80)
He also throws a slower curveball with a more traditional 12–6 break. While not as consistent as his slider, it adds another wrinkle to his deep arsenal.
5. Control/Command (Grade: 50/80)
Command has been the primary area of focus for Abel. Walks have occasionally plagued him at the higher levels, but he has shown steady improvement, reducing his BB/9 in 2024 and early 2025.
Development Timeline
2021 – Rookie and Low-A
Abel started in the lower levels, quickly displaying his dominant stuff but also showing control inconsistencies. He posted a 4.43 ERA over 14 starts with 66 strikeouts in 44.2 innings.
2022 – High-A
He improved significantly with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, refining his slider and lowering his walk rate. He struck out 103 batters in 85 innings.
2023 – Double-A and Futures Game
Mick Abel was selected to the 2023 MLB Futures Game, where he showcased his stuff on a national stage. He finished the season with a 3.76 ERA in Double-A Reading, showing improved command.
2024 – Triple-A Debut
In 2024, Abel got his first taste of Triple-A with Lehigh Valley. He had a mixed season, striking out batters at a high clip but also experiencing bouts of inconsistency. Despite the 4.88 ERA, the Phillies remain high on his upside.
2025 – Strong Start and Promotion Looming
In 2025, Abel has shown maturity. His ERA has dropped under 3.80, and his strikeout-to-walk ratio has improved to 3.5:1. A big league call-up by late 2025 is highly possible.
Phillies’ Rotation Outlook and Abel’s Role
With Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, and Ranger Suárez leading the rotation, the Phillies are built to win now. However, the team has also made it a priority to develop internal arms.
Andrew Painter, another top prospect, is already knocking on the MLB door, but Abel is right behind him. Many analysts believe Abel could slot into the No. 3 or 4 spot in the rotation as early as 2026, providing the Phillies with cost-controlled upside.
Strengths and Improvements
Strengths:
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Premium velocity with a high spin rate
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Deep pitch arsenal
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Excellent size and physical projection
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Competitive mindset
Areas to Improve:
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Command under pressure
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Secondary pitch consistency (especially the changeup)
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Efficiency — can run high pitch counts early in outings
Comparisons and MLB Projection
Mick Abel is often compared to pitchers like:
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Gerrit Cole (early-career profile)
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Noah Syndergaard (pre-injury)
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Aaron Nola (Phillies comp — in terms of developmental path)
If his command continues to improve, Abel projects as a mid-rotation starter with No. 2 upside in a playoff-caliber rotation.
What Scouts and Analysts Say
“Abel has the frame, the stuff, and the mentality to be a star. If he can harness his control, the Phillies could have one of the best young rotations in baseball by 2026.”
— Jim Callis, MLB.com
“There’s some polish still needed, but Mick Abel has top-of-the-rotation stuff. He’s maturing quickly and looks ready for the majors soon.”
— Keith Law, The Athletic
Potential MLB Debut
ETA: Late 2025 – Early 2026
With Mick Abel excelling at Triple-A in 2025, a September call-up is on the table, especially if the Phillies need rotation depth down the stretch. Alternatively, he could debut in Spring 2026 and compete for a starting role immediately.
Fan Expectations and Team Investment
The Phillies have heavily invested in Abel’s development — from advanced biomechanics labs to veteran mentorship. He’s seen as a pillar of the next wave of Phillies pitching, and fans have embraced his journey.
Merchandise sales, autographs, and minor league appearances show Mick Abel already carries significant fan appeal, especially among the team’s younger fan base.
MLB Pipeline: Mick Abel Prospect Profile
Final Thoughts
Mick Abel’s 2025 outlook reflects both the challenges and the promise of developing young pitching in today’s game. His combination of size, raw talent, and work ethic make him one of the most exciting arms in the Phillies’ system.
Whether he becomes a star or a solid contributor, his presence offers the Phillies both insurance and upside as they continue their push for National League dominance.
