LAKELAND, Fla. -- Mick Abel dreamt on Saturday, like a lot of other people.

He pitched the first two innings in a Spring Breakout exhibition between top Phillies prospects and top Tigers prospects at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. It was Abel¡¯s first time playing with other Phils prospects such as Aidan Miller.

Maybe one day they will play together again in the big leagues.

¡°It¡¯s awesome,¡± Abel said. ¡°That¡¯s what this event is for. It¡¯s looking ahead to the future. For us, it¡¯s just as exciting as the fans getting to watch.¡±

Here were three notable prospect performances from the Phillies¡¯ 5-1 loss:

RHP Mick Abel (No. 2 Phillies prospect, No. 49 prospect in MLB)
Abel, 22, is in a good place.

He struck out Yankees star Juan Soto in a Grapefruit League game on Monday. Afterward, Abel was reassigned to Minor League camp, but only because he needs to get ready for the Triple-A season. Then, on Saturday, he allowed a home run in the first inning to top Tigers prospect Jace Jung before settling in to strike out the side in the second.

Abel has struck out four in 2 2/3 perfect innings in two Grapefruit League appearances. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, manager Rob Thomson and others were impressed.

If Abel continues to progress at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, he could push for an in-season promotion.

¡°It¡¯s definitely a goal; it¡¯s definitely within sight,¡± Abel said. ¡°The biggest difference this year is that I know where my feet are at. In years past, I thought about promotions too much. I put too many of those types of expectations on myself. By certain dates, I need to make certain levels or whatever. But this year I¡¯ve got a very clear understanding of what I need to do and who I need to be to get to that next level.¡±

It is mentioned that Abel is on the same track as many other high school players selected in the first round in 2020.

¡°I looked in the mirror one too many times and I didn¡¯t see anything,¡± he said. ¡°I think the last time I did it, I did see something. And I understand what I saw. It was a very easy picture to see.¡±

Abel said his improved mindset has helped him this spring.

¡°Even today, a home run is a home run -- it¡¯s a solo shot,¡± Abel said. ¡°It was a pretty bad pitch. After a low fastball, I threw him a low changeup. I thought I would change his speed. But everything is clicking right now. Everything feels really good mentally. I¡¯m in a really good place. I have a lot of confidence.¡±

SS/3B Aidan Miller (No. 3, No. 61 overall)
The Phillies think they got a steal when Miller fell to them with the 27th overall pick in the 2023 Draft.

They believe he is going to be a star with legitimate big league power. Miller, 19, hit a ball past a drawn-in infield with one out in the first inning to plate the Phillies¡¯ only run. He also reached on catcher¡¯s interference in the fourth and struck out looking with the bases loaded in the sixth.

Miller fouled back a 96-mph fastball from Ty Madden to push the count to 3-2 in the sixth.

¡°I just missed that one,¡± he said. ¡°I wanted that one back.¡±

He then took a 3-2 fastball for a called third strike. Miller thought the pitch was low -- and it appeared to be. But players only learned before the game that they could use the ABS challenge system and it slipped Miller¡¯s mind until he left the batter¡¯s box.

¡°Next time,¡± he said.

Miller played 10 games last season with the Gulf Coast League Phillies before getting promoted to Single-A Clearwater, where he is expected to open this season. He hit his first professional home run for the Threshers in the postseason.

¡°The biggest thing was learning how to slow the game down,¡± Miller said. ¡°The first couple games, it felt fast. It sped up on me a little bit. Developing a good routine helped that out.¡±

Miller has embraced the information the Phillies have provided him since he joined the organization. He is learning his strengths and weaknesses at the plate, including hot and cold zones.

¡°I like heaters,¡± he said, smiling. ¡°I think everybody would give you that answer. But I¡¯m learning what pitches to lay off of. If they start middle and end up away, lay off those. Learn how to be professional; have a professional approach.¡±

CF Justin Crawford (No. 4, No. 77 overall)
Crawford, 20, showcased his approach and ability to put the bat on the ball in his three plate appearances.

He reached on a swinging bunt single up the third-base line in the first, forcing Jung into an errant throw. Crawford stole second, then advanced to third on a slow ground ball to shortstop Trei Cruz. He scored on Miller¡¯s single to left.

¡°We can get used to this,¡± Crawford and Miller told one another in the dugout.

Crawford, who is expected to open at High-A Jersey Shore, hit an opposite-field single with two outs in the third. He walked in the sixth.