Phillies Already Signed Their 2020 First-Round Pick Above Slot Value
By Max Smith
One of the newest members of the Philadelphia Phillies organization will be making quite a hefty amount of money for a high schooler.
The Phils didn't waste any time locking down their first-round pick, signing pitcher Mick Abel for $4,075,000 on Wednesday. They selected the prospect with the 15th overall pick in the MLB Draft. The 18-year-old earned a tad more than his slot value, which was $3,885,800. Though he likely won't pitch at the major league level for a while, it shows the confidence the Phillies have in the right-hander.
Per @jimcallisMLB, the #Phillies have agreed to a deal with first-round #MLBDraft pick Mick Abel for $4,075,000 (slot value = $3,885,800).
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 24, 2020
Here's a look at Abel and all of the @Phillies' 2020 @MLBDraft picks, slot values and signing bonuses: https://t.co/TdEx9OKQpM pic.twitter.com/DIG46UWZHZ
Abel brings a lot to the table already. He has four pitches at his disposal, a four-seam fastball, a two-seam fastball, a curveball, and a slider. His fastball has already touched 100 mph. He dominated in high school, posting a 1.26 ERA during his junior season. Many projections had him ranked as the top high school pitcher heading into the draft.
He stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs in at 198 pounds, a tremendous frame for an ace with room to grow. Abel has drawn comparisons to Justin Verlander and Stephen Strasburg by scouts across the country. It's clear that the youngster's ceiling is incredibly high.
Mick Abel, 87mph Slider and 94mph Sinker, Overlay [From the @PerfectGameUSA All American Game] @Mickabel13 pic.twitter.com/CTLirMLeUZ
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 15, 2019
Usually, Abel would head to the Gulf Coast League, but due to COVID-19, all minor league baseball is currently suspended. While it's uncertain what he'll do this summer, he be making his professional debut whenever minor league baseball returns.