The Philadelphia Phillies have been pleasantly surprised by Mick Abel's impressive start to his major league career. Over 20.1 innings pitched, the 23-year-old right-hander has recorded a 2.21 ERA with 17 strikeouts, showcasing his potential as a valuable asset. His emergence is timely, given Aaron Nola's injury struggles. Should Nola not regain his form, Abel's role could expand significantly.

However, the anticipated return of top prospect Andrew Painter in July complicates matters for Abel. If Painter performs as expected and Nola returns healthy, it may be challenging for Abel to secure a spot in the rotation. Recent predictions suggest he could be the Phillies' best trade chip, indicating that teams would likely show interest in a young pitcher with Abel's skill set.