Mick Abel Shines in MLB Debut as Phillies Edge Pirates 1-0
PHILADELPHIA — Former Jesuit High School star Mick Abel made a remarkable debut in Major League Baseball on Sunday, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a narrow 1-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates and securing a three-game series sweep.
Abel, a 23-year-old right-hander drafted 15th overall in 2020, showcased his talent by striking out nine batters across six scoreless innings. This performance harkened back to his high school glory when he guided Jesuit to a state championship and earned Oregon’s Gatorade Player of the Year honor. Abel’s nine strikeouts tied the franchise’s record for debut performances, originally set by Curt Simmons in 1947.
The single run for the Phillies came in the fifth inning when Brandon Marsh grounded into a forceout against Pirates rookie Paul Skenes, who pitched a strong three-hitter with nine strikeouts but fell to 0-3 over his last four starts despite a 2.52 ERA in that span. The Pirates struggled overall, marking a dismal 3-13 record in May and a season record of 15-32.
Abel’s debut featured an impressive 62 strikes out of 84 pitches, highlighting his dominance with an average four-seam fastball velocity of 97.3 mph. The bullpen contributed to the shutout, with Orion Kerkering, Matt Strahm, and Jordan Romano closing out the game and solidifying the victory. Notably, the Phillies were without closer José Alvarado, recently suspended for 80 games due to a positive drug test.
As the teams look ahead, the Pirates will host the Cincinnati Reds, while the Phillies face the Colorado Rockies in their next matchup.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
