Mick Abel

Fantasy News

• Twins' Mick Abel: Unofficially wins rotation spot

  Rotowire Mar 20, 2026

  Abel is poised to begin the season in Minnesota's starting rotation after Zebby Matthews was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. The Twins have yet to announce their official rotation plans, but Abel has apparently won the battle for the No. 5 spot. The 24-year-old was dominant during spring training with a 1.35 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 17:1 K:BB across 13.1 innings. Abel struggled to a 6.23 ERA in 10 appearances between the Phillies and Twins in his first taste of the majors last season, but he should find more success if he's able to keep limiting free passes, as he's had a walk rate of at least nine percent at every professional level.

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• Twins' Mick Abel: Ends scoreless streak

  Rotowire Mar 13, 2026

  Abel gave up two earned runs over 3.1 innings with four strikeouts and one walk Friday, ending a 10-inning scoreless streak. He has a 1.35 ERA with a 17:1 K:BB in 13.1 innings this spring. Abel is likely competing with Zebby Matthews for the fifth starter role. This was his first speed bump in otherwise stellar spring. A high walk rate (6.5 BB/9 in the majors last season) has been a problem, so his great control this spring is encouraging. He's making a strong case to begin the season in the rotation, but he'll likely be the odd man out since he has minor-league options left. Still the competition between him and Matthews will likely come down to the final week of spring training.

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• Twins' Mick Abel: Shines in spring debut

  Rotowire Feb 24, 2026

  Abel threw three scoreless innings with five strikeouts and no walks in his spring debut Monday against Detroit. He reached 97 mph with his fastball during the outing, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Abel is competing for one of three open spots in the Minnesota rotation with Pablo Lopez out for the season after Tommy John surgery. Abel has not lived up to his No. 15 overall draft pick selection in 2020, as before last season he had unimpressive ERAs and troubling walk rates (4.76 ERA the previous two seasons in Triple-A and Double-A with Philly). He did have a 2.20 ERA and 10.4 K/9 at Triple-A in 2025 but struggled with a 6.46 ERA in the majors. A high walk rate (6.5 BB/9 in the majors last season) has been a problem, so it was a good sign he didn't issue any free passes Monday.

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• Twins' Mick Abel: Impressive live batting practice

  Rotowire Feb 17, 2026

  Abel was impressive in Tuesday's live batting practice, hitting 96-to-98 mph with his fastball, Bobby Nightengale of The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. "Abel is one of those guys that, I mean, you guys saw it last year, what he did to the Phillies late in the year," manager Derek Shelton said. "He's got electric stuff." Abel might be overlooked a little bit in the battle for the now-three open rotation spots for the Twins, but he'll be in the mix along with Simeon Woods Richardson, Taj Bradley, Zebby Matthews and David Festa, who is a little behind the rest of the group while returning from a shoulder issue. Abel made two starts for the Twins after the trade from the Phillies, striking out nine in his final start of the season against his former club.

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• Twins' Mick Abel: Dazzles in first win

  Rotowire Sep 27, 2025

  Abel (1-2) earned the win Saturday against the Phillies, allowing three hits and one walk in six scoreless innings. He struck out nine. Making just his second start since joining Minnesota, Abel delivered his finest outing with his new club against the team that traded him away this past July. The right-hander spun six shutout innings for the first time since his major-league debut back in mid-May, and he tied his season high in strikeouts. Given his prospect pedigree and sparkling season finale, the 2020 first-rounder should be under consideration for a back-end rotation spot for the rebuilding Twins in 2026 but will still likely need to prove himself during spring training. Abel will finish the campaign with a rough 6.23 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 39:16 K:BB over 39 frames.

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• Twins' Mick Abel: Sent back to Triple-A

  Rotowire Aug 31, 2025

  The Twins optioned Abel to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday. Minnesota didn't immediately replace Abel on the roster ahead of Sunday's 7-2 win over the Padres, so the Twins will have three spots to fill when the active roster expands from 26 to 28 men Monday. Abel's demotion comes after he was moved to the bullpen for this weekend's series against the Padres following a rough start against the White Sox on Aug. 23, when he served up six earned runs across three innings. The right-hander didn't fare any better in his lone relief appearance, as he gave up six runs (five earned) on seven hits and one walk over one inning in Saturday's 12-3 loss.

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• Twins' Mick Abel: Roughed up in Twins debut

  Rotowire Aug 23, 2025

  Abel (2-3) took the loss against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out two across three innings. Abel was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul ahead Saturday's start, his first in a Twins' uniform since being traded by the Phillies in late July. Abel yielded nine runs in his last two starts with Philadelphia, and that trend continued with his new team as he gave up six runs in the second inning, highlighted by a Colson Montgomery grand slam. Abel now sits at a 6.43 ERA and 1.54 WHIP across 28 major-league innings this season. With Pablo Lopez (shoulder), Simeon Woods Richardson (illness) and David Festa (shoulder) still on the IL, Abel is slated to make at least a couple more turns in the Twins' rotation. Things won't get easier for Abel, as he's lined up to take on the Padres at home next weekend.

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• Twins' Mick Abel: Promoted ahead of start

  Rotowire Aug 23, 2025

  Minnesota recalled Abel from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday. Abel will be making his Twins debut Saturday with a start against the White Sox in Chicago. After being acquired from the Phillies on July 30, Abel was optioned to Triple-A and thrived in his three starts for St. Paul, delivering a 1.76 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB over 15.1 innings. In six starts with the Phillies prior to being dealt, Abel posted a 5.04 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB across 25 frames.

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• Twins' Mick Abel: Dealt to Twins for Duran

  Rotowire Jul 30, 2025

  Abel and Eduardo Tait were acquired by the Twins from the Phillies on Wednesday in exchange for Jhoan Duran, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports. Abel was one of Philadelphia's top prospects and is now a key piece of the biggest trade deadline deal of 2025 so far. The right-hander made six starts for the Phillies this year in his first taste of the majors and has a 5.04 ERA over 25 innings, but he's been dominant at the Triple-A level with a 2.31 ERA and 9.9 K/9 in 13 starts. Abel will have a clearer path the big-league rotation in Minnesota given the club's injury situation and since Chris Paddack has also already been traded.

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• Phillies' Mick Abel: Demoted to Triple-A

  Rotowire Jul 4, 2025

  The Phillies optioned Abel to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports. Abel surrendered five runs over 1.2 frames during the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Padres and posted a 6.63 ERA over 19 innings since entering Philadelphia's rotation in early June. The Phillies could fill their open rotation spot with a bullpen game next week.

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• Phillies' Mick Abel: Start washed out by rain

  Rotowire Jun 28, 2025

  Abel didn't throw a pitch in Friday's 13-0 rout of Atlanta due to a two-hour, 19-minute rain delay. Both scheduled starting pitchers had already warmed up before the umpiring crew signaled for the delay, but Philly elected not to send Abel to the mound when play finally began and went with a bullpen game instead, while Altanta stuck with Bryce Elder. It's not clear yet if Abel will have his turn skipped completely, or if the Phillies will use the hiccup to shuffle their rotation.

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• Phillies' Mick Abel: Allows four homers in first loss

  Rotowire Jun 21, 2025

  Abel (2-1) took the loss against the Mets on Saturday, allowing four runs on six hits and no walks with one strikeout over three innings. Abel allowed a solo home run in the first inning and then served up back-to-back-to-back long balls to the top three hitters in the Mets' order in the third. It marked the worst of the rookie's five starts with the Phillies, and he's now totaled just nine strikeouts over his past four outings after fanning nine in his major-league debut on May 18. He'll carry a 3.47 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB across 23.1 innings into a road matchup with Atlanta next weekend.

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• Phillies' Mick Abel: Impresses once again Wednesday

  Rotowire Jun 4, 2025

  Abel didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Blue Jays after giving up one run on three hits and no walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out two. Although Abel wasn't nearly as dominant as he was in his first start, when he fanned nine in six shutout innings, he was still highly effective Wednesday. The rookie right-hander generated just five whiffs, but he's now surrendered only one run while producing a promising 11:0 K:BB over the first 11.1 innings of his major-league career. With Aaron Nola (ankle) still yet to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, Abel's next turn in Philadelphia's rotation is tentatively slated for early next week against a Pirates club with a miserable .638 OPS over 31 games since the start of May.

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• Phillies' Mick Abel: Set for start Thursday in Toronto

  Rotowire Jun 1, 2025

  Abel will be called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start Thursday's game versus the Blue Jays in Toronto, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. In his MLB debut May 18 versus the Pirates, Abel dazzled with nine strikeouts over six shutout frames, but he was sent back to Lehigh Valley immediately afterward while the Phillies turned to veteran Taijuan Walker to replace the injured Aaron Nola (ankle). With Walker underwhelming in two starts, the Phillies have decided to move him to a bullpen role, opening a spot in the rotation for Abel. He won't necessarily be in store for a long-term stay in the big leagues, as Nola could begin a rehab assignment next week before returning from the injured list by the second week of June.

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• Phillies' Mick Abel: Optioned after stellar debut

  Rotowire May 19, 2025

  The Phillies optioned Abel to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The idea all along was for Abel's major-league debut Sunday against the Pirates to be a spot start, and the Phillies have stuck to the plan even after the rookie struck out nine over six scoreless innings. Taijuan Walker will now enter the rotation this week as the replacement for Aaron Nola (ankle). Abel will go back into Lehigh Valley's rotation but is sure to garner additional looks in the majors this season.

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• Phillies' Mick Abel: Dazzles in debut

  Rotowire May 18, 2025

  Abel (1-0) yielded five hits over six shutout frames Sunday, striking out nine and earning a win over the Pirates. Abel was promoted for his MLB debut Sunday and put on a clinic. He fired 62 of 84 pitches for strikes and threw 16 first-pitch strikes to the 22 batters he faced. Abel generated 18 whiffs, including eight with his curveball and seven with a fastball that averaged 97.3 mph. The 23-year-old posted a 6.46 ERA through 108.2 frames with Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2024, but he hit his stride this season with a 2.53 ERA across 46.1 innings before his promotion. It's unclear what the Phillies plan to do with Abel, but his next turn in the rotation would likely be on the road against the Athletics next weekend if he gets another start.

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• Phillies' Mick Abel: Making MLB debut Sunday

  Rotowire May 16, 2025

  The Phillies will call up Abel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start Sunday's game against the Pirates, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. The right-hander will be called up for a spot start Sunday with Aaron Nola (ankle) landing on the injured list. Abel likely won't stick around in the majors, however, since Taijuan Walker will fill Nola's spot in the rotation next week in Colorado. Abel is one of the organization's top prospects and has a 2.53 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 51:19 K:BB across 46.1 innings at Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season.

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• Phillies' Mick Abel: Figuring out Triple-A

  Rotowire May 14, 2025

  Abel has a 1.96 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 47:17 K:BB in 41.1 innings over his last seven starts for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Abel's first start of the year was in line with his work at Triple-A in the past -- he gave up four runs on nine hits and two walks with four strikeouts in five innings March 30 -- but he has been dialed in since. The Phillies have a healthy and productive big-league rotation, but Abel looks like a post-hype option if they have need of a spot starter or injury fill-in before Andrew Painter is ready.

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• Phillies' Mick Abel: Added to 40-man roster

  Rotowire Nov 19, 2024

  The Phillies added Abel to the 40-man roster Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. Abel's prospect stock has trended down each year since he was selected No. 15 overall in 2020. Initially he was seen as a potential No. 1 pitching prospect type, but he has never posted a walk rate below 10 percent and his stuff has stagnated. Abel logged a 6.46 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and a 117:78 K:BB in 108.2 innings at Triple-A last season and is unlikely to be more than an up-and-down arm in 2025.

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• Phillies' Mick Abel: Joining big-league camp

  Rotowire Jan 24, 2023

  Abel will attend the Phillies' big-league camp this spring. The 2020 first-round pick remains an interesting prospect, but he's been passed within his own organization by 2021 first-rounder Andrew Painter, who's moved into the conversation for top pitching prospect in the game. Painter appears to have a legitimate shot to break camp in the majors, but Abel isn't at that stage yet. That's not an insult to Abel, who's just 21 years old and has yet to reach Triple-A. He owns a 27.6 percent strikeout rate in 23 professional starts, but he'll need to trim his 10.6 percent walk rate to take the next step. If a 2023 major-league debut is in the cards, it will probably happen late in the year.

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