Last week, the Philadelphia Phillies sent rookie right-hander down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Abel started his major league career strong but has recently struggled, now posting a 5.04 ERA, a 6.25 FIP, a 1.360 WHIP, and recording 21 strikeouts against 9 walks over 25 innings.
Despite these challenges, Abel still shows a lot of potential, and this demotion isn’t the end of his time with the Phillies. However, the pitching staff also includes Zack Wheeler, Christopher Sánchez, Taijuan Walker, Jesús Luzardo, and Ranger Suárez—all of whom are solidified in the rotation.
Additionally, Aaron Nola is expected back from ankle and rib injuries in early to mid-August. With so many pitchers available and Abel’s high upside, he could turn out to be the Phillies’ most valuable trade asset.
Bailey Digh of Phillies Nation also listed Abel as a prospect Philadelphia could move at the trade deadline.
“Despite the recent struggles with the Phillies, Abel still shows promise,” Digh wrote. “His trade value has likely not diminished over the last month. He’ll turn 24 in August and has room to grow and learn how to pitch in the majors.
“For clubs looking to boost their young pitching depth, Abel will be attractive. Add on that the Phillies have plenty of starting depth for this year, and in 2026, Abel might be their likeliest prospect used in a trade.”
The Phillies might also consider offering their No. 1 prospect, right-hander Andrew Painter, who could likely bring back an even better return than Abel alone. Although Painter is recovering from Tommy John surgery and the team will need to manage his innings carefully, it seems inevitable that he’ll be called up sometime this summer.
Another possibility is shifting either Abel or Painter to the bullpen. Philadelphia needs reinforcement across their relief corps, and adding reliable innings eaters late in the season could help keep the team fresh heading into October.
No matter how the Phillies adjust their roster, expect Abel’s name to keep coming up in trade talks as they search for bullpen or outfield upgrades before the trade deadline.
Leave a Reply