Phillies Select Oregon's Mick Abel

Last night in the first round of the 2020 MLB draft, the Philadelphia Phillies selected right-handed pitcher Mick Abel. Standing six foot five, Abel is an 18-year old senior from Jesuit High School in Portland, Oregon.

Abel has three main pitches; a fastball, slider, and curveball. His fastball stretches from 94 to 97 mph. Many scouts are excited about his projection for the future claiming he has a lot of room to grow and time to get stronger. Baseball America says Abel possesses "a tantalizing combination of present stuff, future projection and pitchability."

Although he has committed to Oregon State, Abel is expected to sign with the team. Scouts were able to see him in person in January, but due to the COVID shutdown he was unable to pitch this spring.

Last season, Abel went 10-0 with a 1.26 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 72 1/3 innings which helped Oregon to a state championship. He was a part of the under-18 Baseball World Cup representing Team USA.

Abel is the first pitcher the Phillies have taken in the first round since 2014 when they took Aaron Nola. Philadelphia's has the 87th, 116th, and 146th selections. They gave up their second round choice when they signed Zack Wheeler.

Fresh out of high school, it will be a while before he has the opportunity to make his debut in Philadelphia. Hopefully, he'll make his way to Reading in the next few years as a blossoming prospect.