A pitcher on the Minnesota Twins got a big prediction ahead of the 2026 MLB season.
The Minnesota Twins are entering the 2026 MLB season with several questions surrounding their starting rotation, and one young pitcher is already drawing attention.
Right‑hander Mick Abel, a former first‑round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2020 MLB Draft, could find himself playing a major role for Minnesota this season. Abel joined the Twins at last year's trade deadline when Philadelphia traded him as part of a prospect package that brought All-Star closer Jhoan Duran to the Phillies.
While Abel showed flashes of potential in his rookie campaign, the results were incredibly disappointing. The 24‑year‑old appeared in 10 games and finished with a 6.23 ERA, allowing eight home runs while striking out 39 batters across 39 innings. However, despite Abel's unfortunate start, Jeff Passan of ESPN still expects him to play a major role for the Twins this year.
“It would not surprise me if Mick Abel is the second‑best pitcher in the Twins rotation this season,” Passan wrote on Friday.
That prediction may sound bold considering Abel’s difficult introduction to the big leagues, but the Twins current pitching situation could create an opportunity for the young right‑hander.
Minnesota is already dealing with significant uncertainty on the mound. Veteran starter Pablo Lopez is expected to miss the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, leaving a major hole near the top of the rotation aside from Joe Ryan.
Meanwhile, Bailey Ober’s velocity has been down during spring training, raising additional questions about the pitching staff’s stability.
Because of that, the competition for the second spot in the rotation remains wide open heading into Opening Day.
Abel will have to earn that role, however. The Twins have several other options competing for innings, including Taj Bradley and Simeon Woods Richardson, both of whom have the talent to claim a larger role this season.
Despite last season’s struggles, Abel remains one of the most intriguing young arms in the Twins system and a key part of the organization’s long‑term plans. Across his first three outings this spring, Abel has allowed zero runs across 10 innings of work. He has also collected 13 strikeouts and allowed just five hits. The team will control him through the 2031 season, giving Minnesota plenty of time to develop him into his full potential.
If Abel can take a step forward this year, the Twins may quickly discover they have another All-Star pitcher in their rotation.