Abel signs $4.075M deal

As the first high school pitcher selected in the June baseball draft, Mick Abel had options. The Phillies never doubted which one he’d choose.

Not surprisingly Wednesday, the Phillies announced they had signed the right-handed pitcher from Portland, Ore., eliminating any doubt that he would elect to keep his commitment to play college baseball at Oregon State.

With an appealing array of pitches and the ability to throw in the high-’90s, Abel was the 15th player selected overall. At the time, the Phillies were convinced he would agree to a contract.

“We’ve had discussions with him,” Phillies scouting director Brian Barber said at the time. “We’re confident that we are going to get Mick signed. He’s signed at Oregon State, but we selected the best player on the board and we have full confidence that we are going to get him into the Phillies organization at the end of this process.”

Due to the health concerns that halted high school and college baseball in March, the draft this year was limited to five rounds. The Phillies previously had agreed to terms with fourthround choice Carson Ragsdale

and fifth-round pick Baron Radcliff. Ragsdale is a righthanded pitcher from the University of South Florida, Radcliff an outfielder from Georgia Tech.

The Phils surrendered their second-round pick as compensation for signing free agent pitcher Zack Wheeler. Their third-round choice, shortstop Casey Martin from the University of Arkansas, remains unsigned.

Though his senior season was postponed, Abel was 18-3 in his career at Jesuit High, striking out 213 in 150.2 innings and posting a 1.98 ERA.

“I had a really good relationship with the Phillies coming into the draft,” said Abel upon his selection. “It’s an honor to get picked by them. I am very excited to have the opportunity.”

The expected slot value

for the 15th overall pick was $3.9 million. According to reports, Abel’s deal was for $4.075 million.

“Obviously, being in the position where I have Oregon State and able to go to college is a blessing,” Abel said on Draft Night. “I never outweighed one or the other. I just wanted to get to this point. It’s a blessing to be selected by the Philadelphia Phillies.”

With the minor leagues on hiatus, Abel could surface for spring training with the Phillies, beginning July 1 at Citizens Bank Park and neighboring fields in FDR Park.

“He’s 18,” Barber said. “Every 18-year-old in the world has things to work on. His stuff is not lacking currently. He is going to come in with very good stuff and stuff that we think will just continue to improve over the next few years. But like any 18-year-old there are definitely things that with maturating and time on the mound and experience facing

professional hitters will help.

“Every 18-year-old pitcher is not going to be the same pitcher they are when they are 21.”

In addition to Abel, Ragsdale and Radcliff, the Phillies have given $20,000 contracts to nondrafted free agents pitchers Chase Antle (Coastal Carolina), Jordan Fowler (Central Missouri), Jonathan Hughes (pitcher), Jake McKenna (Ocean City High, N.J.), Noah Skirrow (Liberty), J.P. Woodward (Lafayette), Blake Brown (UNC Ashville) and Buddy Hayward (Harvard).

As for Abel, the Phillies have been clear that they will not rush his development.

“Mick has outstanding makeup and an above average repertoire of pitches for someone his age,” Barber said. “He really knows how to compete, especially with his fastball. We believe he has a bright future with us.”