Mick Abel

Phillies protect Mick Abel and 2 rising prospects ahead of MLB Rule 5 Draft

Tuesday’s Rule 5 draft protection deadline forced the Phillies to make some tough calls, but they ultimately locked in three young arms for their 40-man roster: Mick Abel, Moises Chace, and Jean Cabrera. Each brings a different story to the table, and their inclusion says a lot about how the Phillies are prioritizing their future pitching depth.

Phillies protect Mick Abel, Moises Chace, and Jean Cabrera from Rule 5 Draft:

Let’s start with Mick Abel

The 2020 first-round pick has been a name Phillies fans have followed for years, but 2024 didn’t exactly inspire confidence. Mick Abel struggled at Triple-A, posting a rough 6.46 ERA with 78 walks in 108⅔ innings. At one point, he was even sent to the development list. Not great. But here’s the thing: Mick Abel’s just 23, and his raw stuff—especially his fastball-slider combo—is still the kind of upside teams dream on.

Leaving him unprotected in the Rule 5 draft wasn’t an option because, let’s face it, he’d be snatched up in a heartbeat. Now it’s on him to show the Phillies he’s worth the patience.

Call 2025 Mick Abel’s prove-it year.

Moises Chace

Moises Chace, on the other hand, is riding high. Acquired in the Gregory Soto trade this summer, the 21-year-old has been nothing short of electric since joining the Phillies. He dominated at Double-A Reading, closing out the year with a 2.59 ERA and striking out 35 batters in just 19⅔ innings. Oh, and let’s not forget the back-to-back double-digit strikeout games. The Phillies weren’t about to risk losing a young arm with that kind of momentum.

Jean Cabrera

Then there’s Jean Cabrera, the sleeper of the group. Signed for just $10,000 in 2019, Cabrera has steadily climbed the ranks to become the Phillies’ No. 13 prospect (according to MLB.com). His highlight reel this season includes a 10-strikeout no-hitter for High-A Jersey Shore on July 4 and a 3.39 ERA in 14 starts at that level. He got a taste of Double-A late in the season, showing flashes of his potential despite some growing pains. Cabrera’s upside as a strike-throwing starter made him a no-brainer for protection.

Griff McGarry, Eiberson Castellano Left Unprotected:

Of course, these moves come with some gambles. Griff McGarry, a flame-throwing righty who’s been both electric and erratic, was left unprotected. His control issues have been a constant problem, but his stuff is tantalizing enough that another team might roll the dice on him in the Rule 5 draft. Same goes for Eiberson Castellano, who racked up 136 strikeouts in 103⅔ innings between High-A and Double-A but still needs to refine his game. The Phillies are betting those flaws will keep teams away, but it’s a risky proposition.

The Phillies are making moves to protect their future pitching pipeline, and the decisions to keep Abel, Chace, and Cabrera show where they see the most potential. Now it’s up to these guys to prove they belong—and fast. For fans, it’s another reminder that the Rule 5 draft can be a high-stakes game of “who blinks first.”

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