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Phillies' Bryce Harper Makes Massive Mick Abel Prediction Despite Demotion

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated May 20, 2025 5:30 PM ET

It was an excellent day for the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. Despite the news of Jose Alvarado being suspended for 80 games and missing the postseason, Philadelphia welcomed Mick Abel to the big league level.

The right-hander debuted against the Pittsburgh Pirates and was lights out, throwing 6.0 of five-hit baseball, allowing zero earned runs and striking out nine.

While he was demoted on Monday, which was expected, this was a step in the right direction for the 23-year-old out of Oregon.

Abel is expected to be a big piece of this Phillies organization over the next few years, and this was just the first sign. For superstar Bryce Harper, he predicted that he'll have a big role in the Phillies rotation or bullpen late in the year, adding that he has the kind of stuff to succeed at the highest level.

"Depth is huge, man. I think you see that in a lot of organizations. A lot of winning organizations, they got a lot of depth. And he could be a dude for us this year," he said, per Ty Daubert of Phillies Nation. "No matter if he's in our starting rotation or our bullpen late, he's got that kind of stuff. So I'm looking forward to seeing it and being able to let him get up here."

If any player in the Phillies clubhouse understands what it takes to be a professional at the highest level, it's Harper.

He also understands Abel's type of stuff on a bump, as Harper has had to face some incredible arms throughout his career.

This is high praise for the Jesuit High School product, and hopefully, Harper's prediction will come true.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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