Mick Abel deals seven strong, continues to stake his claim in the Phillies’ rotation future

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, but yes — Mick Abel looked legit last night.

The Phillies’ top pitching prospect threw seven sharp innings for Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a 2-1 win over the Columbus Clippers, marking the first time he’s made it through seven frames as an IronPig. And in a farm system where the runway to Citizens Bank Park gets shorter by the day, outings like this matter.

Abel was in full control. After a shaky second inning where he allowed a leadoff triple and balked in a run (classic MiLB chaos), the 23-year-old settled down and locked in.

He retired seven straight at one point, got out of a couple jams, and used a picture-perfect double play to escape the seventh unscathed. The guy wasn’t just surviving — he was managing the game like a big leaguer.

And just in time, too.

The Mick Abel Revenge Tour

It’s safe to say that Mick Abel is back!

His final line tonight in Allentown:

7.0 IP | 4 H | 1 ER | 2 BB | 4 K | 82 Pitches pic.twitter.com/awJjspx3vV

— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) April 24, 2025

Mick Abel shoves in Rochester as IronPigs bash their way to a series win

With Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola entrenched, Cristopher Sanchez showing consistency (forearm tightness aside), and Andrew Painter looming in the background like a “boss level” prospect, the Phillies’ rotation for the next few years is a crowded house. Mick Abel can’t afford mediocrity. That’s what makes nights like this so important — a one-run, seven-inning effort on just 59 pitches puts him right back on the radar.

The IronPigs got just enough offense to make it stick. Buddy Kennedy tied the game in the third with an RBI groundout, and in the seventh, Cade Fergus singled, swiped second, and scored the go-ahead run on an Otto Kemp knock.

From there, Max Lazar came in to slam the door with a 1-2-3 clean ninth and secure the save.

Max Lazar picks up his 3rd save of the season for AAA Lehigh Valley! pic.twitter.com/sCCyjihcHL

— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) April 24, 2025

Abel improved to 2-2 on the year and has now gone at least five innings in all five of his starts. There’s still work to do — his command still flashes “project” more than “polished,” and the strikeout numbers were modest (4 Ks) — but the durability box is finally getting checked.

The IronPigs are now 16-7 and rolling into Thursday night’s game looking for their fourth straight win. Nabil Crismatt gets the ball against our old pal Vince Velasquez, which should be a wild ride no matter what happens.

If this is the version of Mick Abel the Phillies get going forward, the future rotation plans just got a whole lot more interesting.

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