Mick Abel, the Phillies first round pick from 2020, made his Double-A debut Saturday night against the Portland Sea Dogs and showed himself ready for his new assignment. The right-hander allowed just four hits that resulted in two earned runs over six innings of work and was awarded the win as Reading downed the Sea Dogs 4-3.

Abel’s fastball sat generally around 95 or 96 but he showed the ability to crank it up as high as 98 when he wanted a little extra jump on the pitch. He was also able to pitch up in the zone with his fastball and blow the pitch by hitters. The two runs scored on a pair of solo home runs, the first by Izzy Wilson and the second by Ceddanne Rafaela. Both shots came after Abel had gotten the first out of the inning.

Throughout the night, Abel mixed in curveballs that he was able to place down in the zone with velocity sitting around the 80 mph mark. His slider was effective, sitting in the mid-to-high 80s throughout the night.

Abel’s pacing on the mound was quick and effective. He slowed slightly with runners on base but generally got the ball, got the sign and threw. He also had the chance to show some athleticism on the mound on a high chopper hit by Wilyer Abreu that Abel had to jump high in the air to field and threw to first to get the out.

MICK ABEL’S LINE ON THE NIGHT

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Ironcially, Abel was opposed by Shane Drohan, who was also making his Double-A debut with Portland. Drohan allowed four earned runs in five innings and was victimized by back-to-back home runs in the second when Victor Friscia hit a two-out three-run blast and Madison Stokes followed with a solo shot. Drohan took the loss for Portland. Stokes had two hits on the night but also committed a fielding error in the game.

Billy Sullivan picked up his first save of the season to lock down the win in the night, but it wasn’t easy. Sullivan walked two in the inning to make things interesting.