The Philadelphia Phillies made waves last season when they secured the services of Johan Duran, a dominant closer from the Minnesota Twins, during the trade deadline. In exchange, the Phillies sent a promising package of prospects, headlined by top-100 prospect Eduardo Tait and former first-round pick Mick Abel. Unfortunately for the Twins, their promising haul hit a snag when Mick Abel was set to undergo arthroscopic elbow surgery.
Abel, who joined the Phillies straight out of high school in Oregon, was a towering 6’5” right-hander brimming with potential. His early minor league career saw him posting modest ERAs around the 4.00 mark.
However, a challenging 2024 season at Triple-A, where he recorded a 6.46 ERA, threatened to derail his major league dreams. But Abel showed resilience, bouncing back with an impressive 2.31 ERA in Lehigh Valley the following season.
The Phillies gave Abel his first taste of the majors last season with a spot start against the Pittsburgh Pirates in late May. In a surprising turn, he outpitched the eventual Cy Young Award winner, Paul Skenes, clinching a 1-0 victory. Over six starts with the Phillies, Abel posted a 5.06 ERA across 25 innings-a performance that was middling but showed promise.
This year, Abel has found a better rhythm with the Twins, posting a 3.98 ERA over 20 ⅓ innings. His Triple-A stint has been even more impressive, with eight innings of one-run ball, 10 strikeouts, and no walks.
This makes his injury all the more disappointing, as it seemed he was finally finding his groove in pursuit of a stable spot in the big league rotation. The timeline for his recovery remains uncertain, but surgery often signals a lengthy absence.
While Abel's setback is unfortunate, Twins fans can find solace in the progress of Eduardo Tait, who remains healthy and is performing admirably with their High-A Cedar Rapids club. The power-hitting catcher has launched 14 home runs and 13 doubles in 62 games.
At just 19, Tait is more than three years younger than the average player at his level, ranking him among the top prospects in the Twins' system. With a promising bat and a strong arm, Tait could be the perfect successor to J.T.
Realmuto for the Phillies when the time comes.
Despite the high price paid in prospects, Phillies fans are content with their trade decision. Jhoan Duran has been a revelation in the bullpen, boasting a 1.90 ERA and giving the Phillies the ninth-inning lockdown they craved. This move brings them closer to postseason success, making the trade well worth the investment.
In Other News...
Phillies Fans Just Got A Bryce Harper All-Star Gut Punch
The first round of All-Star voting brought plenty of good news for the Phillies, with Brandon Marsh piling up more than two million votes and landing second among National League outfielders. Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm also finished second at their positions, keeping their chances alive to start the All-Star Game and giving Philadelphia a real presence in the early returns.
Bryce Harper was the notable exception, even if he still appears headed for the roster when selections are finalized. For a team hoping to make this summer showcase feel like a home-field celebration in Philadelphia, Harper falling short of the next round leaves a little sting, especially with so many of his teammates still in the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles Could Flip A Major Offseason Addition If July Unravels
The Orioles are still hanging around the postseason picture, but July could end up deciding whether they stay in the race or start listening to offers. One player to watch is Taylor Ward, whose arrival has been a meaningful addition for Baltimore and whose profile fits the kind of move contenders circle once a front office decides it needs to protect some value.
MLB.coms Thomas Harrigan notes that Ward could be on the move if Baltimore cannot build momentum this month, a possibility tied to the reality of a looming free-agent departure. For a Phillies club that always keeps an eye on available outfield help, this is the sort of name that could surface quickly if the Orioles slip and shift from buyer to seller. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Could Make A Deadline Swing That Ends The Bohm Debate
The Phillies have been searching for a steadier answer at third base, and the conversation around Alec Bohm has only sharpened as the deadline draws closer. Bohm has been through a slow start this season before showing signs of life more recently, but the position remains one of the clearest places Philadelphia could look to upgrade if it wants a more dependable bat and glove for the stretch run.
Jon Heymans latest note suggests the front office could explore a bigger swing if the right opportunity presents itself, with the market shaped by both performance and price. Philadelphia also has to weigh its internal options, including Aidan Miller, though his back injury has kept him sidelined all year, which leaves the club with a familiar deadline question: stand pat and hope Bohm keeps trending up, or try to settle the spot before October becomes the focus. [Read more 🡒]