Abbott receives MLB call-up, wins first two starts with Reds in shutout fashion

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Posted on Sunday, Jun. 11, 2023, 4:00 pm

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By Harry Farley
JerryRatcliffe.com correspondent

Photo: Joe Puetz | USA TODAY Sports

In a little over a week, Virginia baseball alumni Andrew Abbott has been called up from Triple-A baseball to the major leagues, won his first two MLB starts, and allowed zero runs over 11.2 innings pitched.

Abbott was drafted by the Reds in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft and has spent the last two years in Cincinnati’s farm-team system. 

His major league debut came at home against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 5. In 6 innings, Abbott allowed zero earned runs and just one hit while also tossing 6 strikeouts. The Reds went on to win 2-0 and give Abbott his first major league win.

Virginia head coach Brian O’Connor tweeted out a congratulatory message to Abbott after the game, which included a picture of their video call with Abbott still in his Reds uniform. 

The end of the tweet read “Andrew, you EARNED this opportunity and Wahoo Nation is proud of you! #ProHoos”.

Meanwhile, Abbott was already hard on himself after an incredible major league debut.

“I personally don’t like the four walks. It’s a tough stat. The game overall was good, but the four walks, I’ve got to be better with that,” Abbott said. “Definitely a good way to start… We came out on top, so that’s all we can ask for.”

If his first start was special, his second start on Sunday reinforced how deserving Abbott was of a major league call-up.

Abbott pitched 5.2 innings against St. Louis on June 10, allowing zero earned runs on 5 hits. The Reds went on to win 8-4 as Abbott was credited with his second win. Now through his first two starts, he has thrown 11.2 innings without allowing a run, recorded 10 strikeouts, and helped Cincinnati get closer to .500 by adding two W’s to the win column. 

Here’s a statistic that really emphasizes how impressive Abbott’s start with Cincinnati has been. He is the first Reds pitcher since 1893 to start their major league career with consecutive scoreless starts (min. 5 innings). Yes, you read that right – since 1893.

Abbott already seems to have the makings of a seasoned pitcher just two starts into his MLB career – both on the mound and in postgame interviews. 

“It’s just clicking…I think it’s just go out and have fun, really,” Abbott said. “There’s a lot of excitement on the team. Just harness and go out and do your job and give 100 percent.”

In his time at Virginia, Abbott recorded the second-most strikeouts in UVA history with 327. His senior year was special, as he threw 162 strikeouts (third-most in the NCAA), pitched 106.2 innings (most in the ACC) and recorded 9 wins (second-most in the ACC). In his final start at Disharoon Park, Abbott threw 7.1 innings of no-hit baseball and struck out 16 batters, the most in his career. 

Virginia also advanced to the College World Series in 2021, where Abbott had a 10-strikeout, zero-earned-run outing in Virginia’s first game in Omaha, as the Cavaliers shut out Tennessee 6-0.

Again, both collegiate and professional sports for Virginia are excelling at the same time. While golf had a great week at the end of May and start of June, Virginia baseball is having a great week of its own now. The Cavaliers defeated Duke in the Super Regionals over the weekend, winning two straight elimination games to capture the series and advance to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. 

The start of Abbott’s MLB career perfectly coincides with the success that the Virginia baseball team is having. More success from both Abbott and Virginia baseball will surely come in the weeks ahead as he hopes to continue his near-perfect major league start while Virginia aims to win its second national championship in program history.