Mick Abel: 5 things to know about Phillies 1st-round pick

Over the last couple of years, the Phillies draft process has been simple. Take the college bat with the highest floor and hope he can get to the big leagues fast. 

Well, the Phillies just turned that strategy on its head. 

For the first time in a while, the Phillies didn't go safe with their first round pick, selecting high-school pitcher Mick Abel with the 15th overall pick on Wednesday night in the 2020 MLB Draft. First year scouting director, Brian Barber, went for upside with his first selection as a Phillie and came away with what could be a future ace. 

Here are 5 things to know about Abel:

1. He has been up to 100 MPH in bullpen sessions leading up to the draft

Here is what the number one overall pick in the 2019 draft, Adley Rutschman, had to say about Abel in bullpens leading up to the draft. He said that he couldn't believe the pitches he caught came from a high school pitcher, and that "you rarely see an arm that good," adding that Abel's repertoire is "electric" and "smooth."

While he won't throw that in games, it's still notable that he has that in him. 

2. What kind of high schooler throws this kind of two-seam fastball?

This isn't normal for a high school kid.Was also up to 100 in pre-draft bullpens. pic.twitter.com/SAH8gIRvG6

Not sure what else to say here besides this is gross and you very rarely see this from major league pitchers let alone high school pitchers. 

Love how loose his arm is and how much he can spin the fastball. 

3. His dad is massive

I know this doesn't sound important but it's important. Scouts love to look at the parents of these guys to see how they'll likely fill out. Abel's dad is 6'5 270. The Phillies probably felt comfortable that he would grow into his already 6'4, albeit, lanky frame. Rumors are that he has already gained 15 pounds this offseason. 

4. His slider is better than his fastball right now

Remember that fastball that I showed you a little higher up in this article? Now look at this slider from Abel. 

This slider is only going to get better. pic.twitter.com/YvAhktu2xJ

That's a pitch that you can dream on. Scouts love to dream on high school arms and Abel is just that. The slider he flashed last summer is a plus pitch that should get sharper as he adds strength and works with technology to increase spin. Couple that pitch with the fastball he showed above and you can see the makings of a future ace. 

5. If he pitches this spring he's likely not there at 15

Abel was considered the best prep arm in this draft and that was without throwing a pitch this spring. This is what Abel was able to do in his junior season while leading his high school to a state championship: 1.26 ERA and 111 strikeouts over 72 1/3 innings. 

Had Abel done that again in his senior year campaign, he's very likely not on the board at 15 for the Phillies to select him, which is great for them. 

My Final Take: The Phillies did very, very well here. I believe if Abel gets on campus, he's a top 5 pick in the draft 3 years from now. 

Yes, the Phillies are taking a shot here, high school arms are always risky, but the fact that they took the shot is significant to me. The Phillies have passed on upside talent in the last couple of drafts to play it safe and Abel is the kind of talent that is worth taking the risk on.  

To be honest, given his advanced mechanics and feel, I'm not sure Abel spends a ton of time in the minors. The slider should only get better, the fastball velo is there, he can already spin the fastball and slider at elite levels and there's a chance for him to develop a good change-up given his arm-slot. 

Overall, Brian Barber hit a home run with his first draft pick as the scouting director of the Phillies. Abel has ace-level upside, and in a normal year, wouldn't have been available for the Phillies to select at 15. I am relieved that the Phillies took a shot on the upside and didn't just play it safe. 

My official player comp: Mark Prior. (Please stay healthy)