Mick Abel

Abel will be in contention for a starting rotation spot with the Twins after showing some promise last season. Abel has not lived up to his No. 15 overall draft pick selection in 2020 as before last season he had unimpressive ERAs and troubling walk rates (4.76 ERA the previous two seasons in Triple-A and Double-A with Philly). Able improved to begin the season at Triple-A with a 2.31 ERA, a 28.6% K% and career-best 10.1% BB% in 12 starts. He then dazzled in his first start in the majors with six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and no walks. He struggled thereafter by allowing 14 earned runs in 19 innings with a 12:9 K:BB ratio. He was then traded to Minnesota where he continued to impress in the minors with a 1.85 ERA, 35.5% K% and 8.6% BB% in five starts. He then struggled in the majors again with the Twins giving up 13 earned runs in 14 innings. Abel has good velocity with a 96.2 mph average fastball that helps generate above-average strikeout rates (28.6% in Triple-A last year). His control is the main issue as he's never had a walk rate below 9% at at any level, but he did lower that rate at both levels last season. If he can continue to improve his control, he could win a rotation spot as early as this spring. Read Past Outlooks