Phillies Add Four Through Draft Led By Mick Abel

The Phillies added four players, and four potential future BlueClaws, to the organization through the 2020 MLB Draft last week, led by 15th overall selection Mick Abel, a high school pitcher from Oregon.

Abel, from Portland's Jesuit High School, was the 15th player taken in the 2020 draft. If Abel plays for the BlueClaws, he would follow 11 former Phillies first-round picks to play for the BlueClaws, most recently Alec Bohm (2018 draft, 2019 BlueClaws), Adam Haseley (2017 draft, 2017 BlueClaws), Mickey Moniak (2016 draft, 2017 BlueClaws), and Cornelius Randolph (2015 draft, 2016 BlueClaws). He had committed to Oregon State before the draft.

“I know Mick has tremendous potential and tremendous upside, and our scouts were just in unanimous agreement with that,” said Brian Barber, Phillies amateur scouting director. “He has the potential to be a future workhorse and just a dominating factor and presence and a top-of-the-rotation pitcher.”

In the third round, the Phillies selected Casey Martin, a shortstop from the University of Arkansas. Going into the draft, he was the #30 prospect in the draft per MLB Pipeline.

“We didn't think Casey would have any chance of getting to us when the day started yesterday, and we didn't have any intention of letting him get by us when that opportunity presented itself,” said Barber.

In the fourth round, the Phillies selected Carson Ragsdale, a pitcher from the University of South Florida. Ragsdale went 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in four starts this season, striking out 37 hitters in 19 innings pitched.

With their final selection, the Phillies added Baron Radcliff, an outfielder from Georgia Tech. He hit .259 with three home runs and 17 RBIs in 16 games this year before the season's cancellation. Last year, Radcliff hit .257 with 12 homers and 44 RBIs.

This year's draft was shortened to five rounds and the Phillies did not have a second round pick.

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