Former Phillies first rounder Mick Abel rolling in Reading

Mick Abel is putting it together in Double-A.

After a solid 2022 campaign that saw the right-hander make his final five starts in Reading, the former first-round draft pick has taken another step through his first five outings for the Fightins this year.

Abel — the 21-year-old starter drafted with the 15th overall pick out of high school in 2020 — has impressed in his return to Reading, pitching to a 2.93 ERA in 21 1/3 innings with 10.55 K/9 and a 0.98 WHIP. And after dealing with some slight control issues early in the season as he built his pitch count, the righty has dialed it up in his last two starts with back-to-back six-inning outings with zero walks:

In Friday's @ReadingFightins victory over Hartford, @Phillies No. 2 prospect Mick Abel had 8 Ks, allowed only one run and no walks in 6 innings 👏 pic.twitter.com/RykRoSrLrc

— Phillies Player Development (@PhilsPlayerDev) May 7, 2023

In his fourth start of the season on April 29 against Altoona, Abel went six strong as he allowed two hits and only one run on a solo home run while striking out six batters. He followed it up on Friday by striking out eight over six innings at Hartford, scattering four hits and allowing one run. Abel has not allowed more than one run since his first start of the year when he gave up two while recording only two outs.

While Abel has been surpassed on the prospect lists over the last two seasons by 2021 first rounder Andrew Painter — who appeared destined to crack the Phillies rotation as a teenager out of spring training before injuring his elbow — the No. 2 prospect in Philadelphia’s system is still showing promise. Abel’s fastball has been comfortably touching the upper-90s mph, his slider/curveball/changeup combination gives him a solid set of secondary pitches and his control has been improving by the start.

Abel may not have the top-of-the-rotation potential that someone like Painter possesses, but he has the makings of a future big-league contributor. And if he continues to roll through the Double-A competition at the rate he has been, a promotion to Triple-A shouldn’t be that far off.

MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION

1. Phillies 2023 Walk-Up Songs
2. What’s Your Favorite Phillies Uniform? Bryce Harper & More Give Their Picks
3. Kody Clemens Is Embracing His Newfound Opportunity In A ‘Wild’ 2023
4. ‘I’m Not Waiting That Long’: Bryce Harper Will Return On Tuesday, Something Only He Ever Imagined
5. Trea Turner Details Bryce Harper’s Recruiting Tactics: ‘We’re Going To Get You Over Here’
6. Edmundo Sosa’s Teammates Explain Why He’s Such A Spark For The Phillies
7. Pirates Team Full Of Former Phillies Off To Hot Start In 2023
8. ‘He’s Got Some Of The Best Stuff I’ve Ever Seen’: Teammates Rave About José Alvarado’s Dominance
9. Former IronPig Drew Maggi Makes Major League Debut After 13 Years In Minors
10. Trying The New Foods At Citizens Bank Park