Mick Abel’s Development Path: From First-Round Pick to Twins Rotation

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (Photo of Mick Abel)

When the Twins acquired Mick Abel, they were getting a former first-round draft pick and taking on a developmental project with frontline potential. Abel, the 15th overall selection in the 2020 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, carried ace-level upside when he entered pro ball. Still, like many young pitchers, the road to the majors has included both mechanical adjustments and growing pains.

Phillies Beginnings
Coming out of Jesuit High School in Oregon, Abel was the first high school pitcher off the board in 2020. With a prototypical 6-foot-5 frame and a fastball that sat mid-to-upper 90s, he quickly earned attention as one of Philadelphia’s top prospects. His early years in the Phillies’ system showed flashes of that promise: a four-pitch mix, high strikeout numbers, and the kind of mound presence that screamed rotation anchor.

In 2021, he posted a 4.43 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and 34.9 K% at Low-A. The Phillies were aggressive with him in 2022 as he moved from High-A to Double-A, where he was 4.5 years younger than the average age of the competition. Across 108 1/3 innings, he posted a 4.13 ERA with a 27.6 K% but shrunk his BB% by nearly 4%. He made all but one start at Double-A in 2023 with a 4.13 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. His K% stayed consistent, but his BB% increased back to 13.5%. There were some positive signs, and he was still considered a top-100 global prospect. 

But there were also challenges as he moved up the organizational ladder. Command wavered, particularly with his secondary pitches, and the fastball-heavy approach left him vulnerable when he couldn’t land his slider and changeup for strikes. In 2024, he had career-worst marks with a 22.7 K% and a 15.1 BB%. Questions began to swirl about whether Abel’s stuff would truly translate against advanced hitters.

A New Home in Minnesota
Fast forward to 2025, and the Twins saw an opportunity. Abel made a brief MLB debut with the Phillies earlier in the season, but the bulk of his appearances were at Triple-A. His walk rate dropped below 11% for the first time since 2022, and his strikeout rate increased by nearly 4% compared to 2024. Abel became part of a prospect package the Phillies used to acquire Jhoan Duran, and Minnesota immediately identified him as a candidate for a mechanical overhaul.

Early results in St. Paul showed improved strike-throwing and a sharper pitch profile, with one of the most intriguing developments being the addition of a new pitch. The Twins asked Abel to experiment with a sweeper, a pitch that has become increasingly popular across baseball. In his most recent Triple-A start, Abel unveiled the new breaking ball, and the results were promising. He only used the pitch to right-handed batters, and it had the second-highest spin rate of any pitch he threw. In that start, he had a 43.1 Whiff% and struck out 11 batters. 

For Abel, the sweeper represents another weapon to keep hitters guessing. Combined with a mid-90s fastball and a developing curveball, his arsenal suddenly looks far more dynamic.

What Comes Next?
The Twins haven’t rushed Abel, and for good reason. He’s only 24, and despite his pedigree, the organization sees him as a long-term piece, and that’s why they wanted him to get some time to acclimate to the organization. But the progress is tangible: a simplified delivery, more consistency in the strike zone, and now, a new breaking ball that could give him the out pitch he’s lacked in recent seasons.

“I think some opportunities for us to help him refine his slider a little bit more and make that a little bit more of a weapon against righties,” Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll explained. “For him, it’s really just keep getting innings under your belt and make sure you are as prepared as possible. He got a cameo of sorts at the big-league level earlier this year, and we want to make sure he can keep pushing forward developmentally to take that next step.”

Minnesota has had success in reshaping young arms, with Joe Ryan being the team’s biggest success story in recent years. Abel’s path won’t look identical, but the framework is in place. If the Twins can continue to harness his raw stuff while building confidence in the sweeper, Abel could go from former first-round question mark to a legitimate playoff-caliber starter in the seasons ahead.

What stands out about Abel's time in the minor leagues? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

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[rdehring]

Have read other references to Joe Ryan.  Hell, I'd be ecstatic if he would become Joe Ryan Lite.  Expect the Twins would also.

Looking forward to seeing what he looks like tonight.  Fortunately for him, they at Chicago's south side.

[jmlease1]

Lot of arm talent here, just going to be a question of his command. The stuff looks plenty good enough to hold up, especially if that new sweeper is to be believed. (I suspect it may take him an offseason to really command it consistently)

I'd certainly rather see what Mick Abel has got than another round of the Urena Experience. I want real competition for the last two spots in the rotation (still praying the Twins don't send off Lopez and Ryan in the offseason in another money-driven fire sale). Love to have Festa, Matthews, Abel, Bradley, and SWR really competing for the last 2 spots, and no one getting a role on scholarship...and not wasting what little money there is on a veteran retread.

[Parfigliano]

Zero reason for Urena to be on this roster.

[Nshore]

Find a starter named Cain, and get biblical on ML opponents!

[Cody Christie]

 

 

[Cody Christie]

 

[mikelink45]

Should have waited another day 

[thelanges5]

45 minutes ago, Cody Christie said:

 

This might explain it. 8 homers in 7 starts isn’t good. Something to work on, he should have 5-6 more starts to figure out his role for 2026. 

[TNtwins85]

11 hours ago, Cody Christie said:

 

Interesting. I didn’t think it was a bad pitch but like you said, he seemed ready for it. I’m sure the coaches will see that and something a young guy will have to work on. I remember Berrios had troubles tipping pitches when he came up. I was encouraged despite the box score.

[USAFChief]

We got hosed on the Duran trade.

I agree I'd rather see Abel than waste innings on dreck like Urena, but I strongly doubt Abel is ever a worthwhile starter.

 

[Craig Arko]

16 hours ago, Cody Christie said:

 

That’s fixable. Just like with Berrios.

[USAFChief]

21 hours ago, Cody Christie said:

 

Your theory is neither the Twins or the Phillies are aware of this, but the Chicago White Sox are?

 

Not buying it.

[Parker Hageman]

On 8/24/2025 at 5:45 PM, USAFChief said:

Your theory is neither the Twins or the Phillies are aware of this, but the Chicago White Sox are?

 

Not buying it.

It was enough of an issue that the Twins had Abel go to the midsection glove placement to eliminate the possibility of tipping his pitches in that manner.

Obviously he got hit around by the Dads but to me, it was far more about falling behind and not landing secondary pitches effectively. Lots of balls shot through infield holes.

Raw stuff is impressive. Needs command. 

He’s also learning a new pitch and now working from a new position in the stretch. Both will take some time to develop.