Mick Abel hopes to become a successful major league pitcher one day, and he’ll get an immediate glimpse of the prototype in his MLB debut.
Abel takes the ball for the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday when he squares off against Paul Skenes and the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates in the finale of a three-game series.
Once one of the Phillies’ top prospects, Abel has endured an up-and-down ride over the last several seasons. However, his current campaign has been solid, as the 23-year-old has posted a 5-2 record and a 2.53 ERA in eight starts for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
“It’s awesome, I’m super excited,” said Abel, selected by the Phillies with the 15th overall pick of the 2020 MLB Draft. “I’ve talked to a lot of people. I’m expecting all the nerves in the world, but at the end of the day, it’s the same game — just in a different place. But to make (my debut in Philadelphia) is pretty special.”
The Phillies already have decided that Abel will make only one start in place of the injured Aaron Nola before returning to the minors. Veteran righty Taijuan Walker will join the rotation in Nola’s place next weekend.
“Any time a guy makes his debut, whether it’s a position player or a pitcher, it’s always exciting,” Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson said. “He’s had a lot of focus on him since he signed as a high draft pick. He’s had some struggles in the past, but he’s had a really good season this year. I told him, ‘Hey, just come in here, it’s one start — just go out there and be yourself. Enjoy the moment.’ ”
Abel will be opposed by former No. 1 overall pick Skenes (3-4, 2.63), the reigning National League Rookie of the Year.
Skenes, who turns 23 on May 29, is coming off a solid start against the New York Mets. He gave up one run, six hits and three walks with six strikeouts in six innings in a no-decision last Monday.
“It comes down to execution,” Skenes said. “Today, I executed when I needed to. Not every day is like that.”
Skenes will be making his first career start against a Phillies team that enters with 14 wins in its last 19 games. Philadelphia has taken the first two games of this series — an 8-4 triumph on Friday and a 5-2 victory on Saturday.
In Saturday’s win, right-hander Zack Wheeler tossed six scoreless innings while receiving key support from Bryson Stott, who homered and drove in three runs. Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper also knocked in runs as part of Philadelphia’s 10-hit attack.
“I liked our offensive approach throughout our lineup. Everybody got on base,” said Thomson, who was particularly impressed by his team’s opposite-field hits.
Meanwhile, in the opposing dugout, Bryan Reynolds had a pair of hits, including a ninth-inning home run, to highlight a quiet night for the Pittsburgh offense (four hits). The Pirates outfielder entered Saturday with only two hits in his previous 45 at-bats.
“I feel like I had the off day (Friday), kind of reset and worked on some things,” Reynolds said after his first multi-hit game since May 2.
–Field Level Media
