3 Phillies prospects heading into a make-or-break year

The Philadelphia Phillies are nearly three weeks into spring training, and most of the roster is set. A couple of open bullpen spots remain, and some competition for the fourth and fifth outfield spots is generating buzz as the Phillies are into the second week of the Grapefruit League schedule.

While the Phillies' farm system has seen vast improvement following the last couple of MLB drafts and international signing periods, most of the top prospects are still young and developing at the lower levels of the minor league system. Top pitching prospect Andrew Painter is still recovering from Tommy John surgery last summer, and very few of the prospects in the high levels of the minor leagues are likely to break camp with the big club when the season begins later this month.

A number of prospects are doing their best to force the Phillies front office and coaching staff to make some difficult decisions in camp, with open roster spots nearly non-existent. Mick Abel showed electric stuff in his first appearance of the spring against the New York Yankees. He turned in a scoreless performance with two strikeouts in one inning of work. While the outing surely turned some heads, it's likely Abel is auditioning to make his debut sometime during the middle of the season unless injuries force the Phillies' hand to give him an Opening Day roster spot.

This might not be the spring for young players hoping to crack the roster of a mostly veteran team. Still, opportunities exist for a few players who have seen their prospect status fall over the last couple of seasons to reestablish their value within the Phillies organization.

Today, we will look at three players heading into a make-or-break year, looking to turn their fortunes around.