Welcome to the Show: Mick Abel will make his Philadelphia Phillies debut on Sunday vs Pirates’ Paul Skenes

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Please direct your attention to Mick Abel.

The Phillies are promoting their No. 8 prospect Mick Abel to make his MLB debut on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park, and it won’t exactly be a soft landing. Mick Abel will be staring down Pirates phenom Paul Skenes in a marquee showdown that ought to have all the juice he could possibly want for his Phillies’ debut at Citizens Bank Park.

Prospect Watch

Mick Abel
AAA Lehigh Valley PHI
6’5” RHP

5.10 v Worcester
7 IP 3H 1ER 2BB 9K
12 whiffs/96 pitches

1st rd draft pick finally displaying better control in 25. Gets a lot of ground balls w 5-pitch mix of:
96 FF 18” IVB, 95 SI 16”HB, CU, SL, CH

2025 – 27K% 10BB% pic.twitter.com/m3kmCkG88l

— YGM Fantasy Baseball (@YGMfantasy) May 11, 2025

Abel’s call-up comes with Aaron Nola officially heading to the injured list with an ankle sprain, a lingering issue that the Phillies decided not to push.

Nola desperately needed a reset. This is good for everyone.

With Taijuan Walker just about ready to rejoin the rotation, Abel’s MLB stay will be short—one start, then back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley while Walker takes over Nola’s spot.

Aaron Nola is going onto the IL (ankle sprain). Mick Abel will make his MLB debut on Sunday vs. Paul Skenes.

Taijuan Walker will rejoin rotation next week in Colorado.

Abel will make one start then return to Triple-A. Walker will take Nola’s spot until he returns.

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) May 16, 2025

The Phillies have been as patient as it gets with Abel, but the situation forced their hand. And honestly, what better way to throw him into the fire than against one of the most hyped pitching prospects in years?

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

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

Abel, the 2020 first-round pick, has been solid in Triple-A, and the front office has been waiting for a chance to give him a taste. Mick is 5-2 on the season in AAA Lehigh Valley. He’s posted a 2.53 ERA over eight starts (46.1 IP) with a solid 1.21 WHIP. Opponents are hitting just .215 against him.

Is Mick Abel back?

7 IP, 3 hits, 1 run, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 Ks … 96 pitches, 61 strikes … 12 swings and miss (9 on the FB) … FB averaged 95.9 mph, T98

The 9 strikeouts are a season high … He’s now 5-2 with a 2.53 ERA this season pic.twitter.com/5ncooESM3t

— Mitch Rupert (@Mitch_Rupert) May 11, 2025

Mick Abel’s Last Start. He’s Ready.

• 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 9 Ks
• 96 pitches, 61 strikes
• 12 whiffs — 9 on the fastball
• Fastball averaged 95.9 mph, topped at 98

Mick Abel Revenge Tour: The Phillies’ Rotation Plans Just Got a Lot More Interesting

That chance comes now. Even if it’s just for a Sunday matinee before a likely demotion, these are the kinds of auditions that matter. If he shows something against Skenes and the Pirates, the Phillies’ decision-makers will file it away for the next time they need an arm.

The Phillies have been patient with Abel, but make no mistake—Sunday’s debut is a moment.

The Phillies can make one simple move to add Otto Kemp to the 40-man roster

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