Mick Abel's Short Start Raises Questions for Phillies' Rookie

Philadelphia Phillies rookie Mick Abel faced a critical moment in his burgeoning career, but the outcome was far from favorable.

In a pivotal game against the New York Mets, Abel's struggles were evident as he exited after just three innings, marking the shortest start of his season. The Mets capitalized on the opportunity, launching seven home runs in an 11-4 rout, showcasing their offensive prowess under the warm skies of Citizens Bank Park.

Abel bore the brunt of the Mets' power surge, surrendering three consecutive home runs in the third inning. Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, and Juan Soto collectively sent balls flying a staggering 1,166 feet, with the trio going 5 for 6 against the rookie pitcher. Their dominance raised immediate concerns about Abel's ability to hold his position in the rotation.

“I just gotta take it as it is,” Abel reflected post-game. “Just be honest with myself. I wasn’t locating my fastball. Just gotta get after it in my bullpen this week.” His candid admission highlighted the urgency of his situation.

With four home runs allowed in just three innings, Abel made history as the first Phillies starter since Jerad Eickoff in 2019 to yield four or more home runs in three or fewer innings. This dubious distinction also places him alongside Vicente Padilla and Robert Person, who faced similar fates in previous seasons.

Throughout his brief outing, Abel threw 73 pitches, with 48 finding the strike zone. Despite his efforts, he managed only one strikeout and recorded four flyouts against a lineup that seemed to anticipate his pitches. His ERA now stands at 3.47 over five starts, with opposing hitters batting .253 against him. Yet, on this humid evening, the Mets appeared particularly well-prepared.

“They all got really good approaches,” Abel noted. “I think they can all hit the heater whenever they want.” His acknowledgment of their skill underscores the challenge he faced.

This game represented a chance for Abel to redeem himself after a previous sweep by the Mets in April. Instead, the Phillies find themselves still searching for answers against a team that has claimed 12 of their last 17 encounters.

Abel's immediate future remains uncertain as he grapples with a 4.67 ERA for June and has allowed seven home runs over 17.1 innings pitched. Despite these setbacks, he still has an opportunity to solidify his place in the rotation.

“Just keep attacking hitters,” Abel advised when asked how he could return to form after a promising start to the season. “First-pitch strikes are a big deal to me. Try to get guys out in three pitches or less.” His determination to improve suggests that he is not ready to concede his spot just yet.