PHILADELPHIA — On the night Mick Abel was drafted by the Phillies with the 15th overall pick in the COVID-shortened, five-round 2020 Major League Baseball draft, the then-18-year-old starting pitcher received a FaceTime call from a phone number he didn’t recognize. He picked up to see Bryce Harper, the face of Abel’s new franchise, on the other end to welcome him to the organization.
Since then, Abel’s career has taken a bit of a winding road. But finally, after five seasons in the minors, the right-hander will get his first opportunity in the major leagues. He’ll make a spot start on Sunday as the Phillies take on the Pirates at Citizens Bank Park, and Harper, Philadelphia’s first baseman, should have an up-close view of his debut.