MLB Rumors: Yankees-Cardinals trade, Braves World Series reunion, another Reds prospect

MLB Rumors: Reds prospect Andrew Abbott adding name to list of young studs

Given how long the Cincinnati Reds have been in the cellar of the NL Central and MLB standings overall, it’s not surprising that they’ve stockpiled some of the most exciting prospects in baseball. But while the likes of Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz are stealing all the headlines, there’s another already in the majors who should be making just as big of waves: Andrew Abbott.

The 24-year-old southpaw who was a second-round pick in the 2021 draft out of Virginia made the third big-league start of his career on Friday night in Houston and, once again, delivered a gem as he went 6.0 innings while giving up no runs and just four hits and two walks against the vaunted Astros lineup.

Abbott has lasted at least 5.2 innings in all three of his starts for the Reds this season and has yet to give up a run in any outing to this point. His stuff isn’t overpowering as he has just 12 strikeouts to his credit over 17.2 innings, but the job is to get outs and he’s done that, registering an impressive 1.08 WHIP to this point.

The emergence of Abbott as a potential stalwart for the rotation could be huge in Cincinnati too. Pitching has been a concern for the club this season, even with their ascension up the standings, with guys like Nick Lodolo out after strong starts to the year.

But if Abbott can continue anything close to his blistering start with the Reds, that alleviates pressure on the front office at the trade deadline to potentially over-extend themselves to improve the rotation. Or, even if they do get aggressive to make a deal, they now have an even deeper rotation if the 24-year-old keeps shoving the way he has.