It was a season to forget for Mick Abel a year ago. Posting a career-high 6.46 ERA, setting the Lehigh Valley IronPigs franchise record for most walks, and saddled with the loss in half of his 24 starts, his prospect shine turned dull heading into 2025.
All of that is now in the rearview mirror for the right-hander. He’s looking straight ahead on a new road that has led him to the mound at Citizens Bank Park when he makes his MLB debut Sunday afternoon against the Pirates.
“This year, I have my own definition of what success is and I understand what I have to do to play at the level I need to be,” Abel said.
So far, so good for the former 15th overall pick in 2020. In eight starts with Lehigh Valley, he is 5-2 with a 2.53 ERA. A performance that warranted a call-up for a spot start, according to Phillies manager Rob Thomson
However, the road to earning a call to the show has been a winding one for Abel, the No. 8 prospect in the system according to MLB Pipeline.
Abel’s Off-Season Approach
It started in the offseason. A period in which Abel said he did a lot of tinkering, both physically and mentally, leading up to Opening Day back in March.
“I took care of my body a lot more,” Abel said. “I think nutritionally more so and got in the lab with that. Understand what makes me tick. Some things make me feel worse. So getting more in tune with my body.”
Abel also attacked the offseason, changing his mental approach.
“There’s a lot less pressure for me this year and what success looks like to me. A lot of it was more [about] becoming myself as a pitcher and not trying to think what other people want to see out of me. It’s what I want out of myself. It feels good to do that again,” Abel said, cracking a smile with a look of relief.
There is plenty to smile about if you are Abel. He has had one of the best turnarounds in all of baseball at any level.
Finishing with an ERA nearing 6.50 last year, Abel has a respectable 2.53 ERA across eight starts this season. He has cut down the walks significantly, only allowing 19 free passes in 46.1 innings of work. Last season, in his first 45.2 innings, he had already allowed 33 walks.
Abel credits his improved fastball command for staying ahead of hitters.
“It has been a lot better than in years past. It’s always something I’ve pitched off of. I think I’ve done a good job this year controlling it a lot better.”
That fastball has been sitting at 95.6 mph and has a 29.7% whiff rate.
A Changed Man
Last year, Abel also had trouble shaking his bad starts. His outings would linger after he exited a game, going back to watch and analyze video. This year, he has been able to draw that line of separation.
“It’s great to pitch well and it’s not so great when you don’t. I try to shower off the emotions once I’m done and as soon as I’m out of there, I’m focused on the next day, what do I have to do.”
Lehigh Valley’s manager, Anthony Contreras, said Abel’s turnaround is an exciting topic to talk about, and he sees the changes the hurler has made. “He’s starting to go deep into games. He holds his velocity, throwing his breaking balls for strikes. There are so many positives to like with what his season has looked like so far.”
Despite the tough season last year, Abel did not think he was heading down a dead end.
“I was able to look myself in the mirror at the end of the season and said you know what, I’m not that far off. It’s just getting ABC to click again.”
Still just 23, Abel’s maturation has been noticeable both on and off the mound.
“I see a different presence on the mound,” Contreras said. “I see the little boy in him leaving and turning into the man, you know, he’s naturally going to turn into. You can just hear it in his voice, and when you’re having conversations with him. He knows what he can do.”
Abel will see what he can do when he makes his MLB debut. He will pitch opposite of NL Cy Young favorite, Paul Skenes, but face a Pirates offense that has the second-lowest OPS. After all the tribulations and adversity Abel dealt with last season, it is safe to say that, despite the outcome on Sunday, this season has already been a success, whether it aligns with Abel’s definition of the word or not.
Photo by Cory Nidoh
