Mick Abel is certainly a name to watch in Minnesota. After being part of a major trade last season that sent Jhoan Duran to the Phillies, the Twins are banking on Abel to become a key piece in their pitching puzzle.
The big question is: where does Abel fit in? Will he start the 2026 season in the bullpen, or is he destined for the starting rotation? Abel made his MLB debut in 2025 and faced some growing pains, but he also showed glimpses of the talent that has the Twins' faithful buzzing.
In a recent spring training game against the Tigers, Abel faced off against two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, and he certainly held his own. This performance is a promising sign for what's to come from the young pitcher.
Abel's first spring outing was impressive, with 12 swings and misses out of 46 pitches. Let's break down his performance at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium:
- Innings Pitched: 3
- Strikeouts: 5
- Walks: 0
- Hits Allowed: 2
- Runs Allowed: 0
- Total Pitches: 46 (29 strikes)
Abel started with a bit of a challenge, allowing a leadoff triple to Matt Vierling. But he quickly regrouped, striking out three consecutive batters - Kerry Carpenter, Gleyber Torres, and Riley Greene - all key players for Detroit.
Continuing his dominance into the second inning, Abel struck out Javier Báez and Colt Keith, making it five straight strikeouts. His arsenal was on full display: three strikeouts came from his mid-90s four-seam fastball, another from his curveball, and the last from his changeup.
Abel's fastball is his go-to, but his curveball is his secret weapon, holding opponents to a .171 average last season with a 37.5% whiff rate. While his changeup was a struggle in 2025, allowing a .417 average, getting a strikeout with it in this outing suggests improvement.
If Abel can continue refining his changeup, he could solidify his role as a starter. Matching Skubal's performance, who struck out four in two scoreless innings, Abel's showing was a testament to his potential.
Keep an eye on Mick Abel - he's gearing up to make a significant impact in the Twins' rotation.