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It's the thrill of a lifetime when a player makes his major league debut.  Now take the volume of that excitement and multiply it by 10!  Mick Abel made a splash on Sunday when he dominated in his first game with the Phillies -- becoming just the second pitcher in club history to strike out nine in his first MLB game (matching Whiz Kids star Curt Simmons in 1947).  Actually, it was a more impressive outing than Simmons': Abel walked no one and pitched shutout ball (Simmons walked six and gave up one run), and outpitched reigning NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes in the Phils 1-0 victory.  Despite the unexpected heroics, Abel knew he'd be returning to AAA Lehigh Valley after Sunday's game -- but now armed with confidence that he can win at the major league level!  (Mick was wearing #74 the only time I saw him in action -- during a 2024 Grapefruit League game against the Yankees -- but donned #40 on Sunday.)

(Below:) Jose Rojas also grabbed headlines over the weekend.  The veteran minor leaguer, a .188 hitter in parts of two seasons with the Angels, joined the Yankees organization over the winter -- an experienced veteran who to play 1st, 3rd or the outfield.  Despite 121 minor league homers, nothing on the back of Rojas' card suggested "budding slugger."  But this month, Rojas has crushed three grand slams.  And we still have 12 days to go in May!
The Mets Ronny Mauricio has long carried the Top Prospect tag.  But after missing all of 2024 with a knee injury that required two surgeries, the toolsy infielder is being ramped up slowly.  Following a 10-game rehab assignment, he's trying to work his way back to Queens with the Mets' top farm club in Syracuse.

(Below:)  Don't be surprised if Roman Anthony reaches the majors this year before Mauricio.  Rated the game's overall number-one prospect, his sweet lefty swing has lit up the International League with a .322 average and .950 OPS. (This image was from last summer, when was starring for the Red Sox AA club in Portland.)








 

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