Cincinnati Reds left-handed pitcher Andrew Abbott threw six shutout innings to earn a win in his Major League Baseball debut Monday night against the Milwaukee Brewers.
MLB Network’s Al Leiter, who won 162 games in 19 big-league seasons as a southpaw, was very impressed, comparing Abbott to National Baseball Hall of Famer Tom Glavine at a similar age.
“I see a guy that’s 6 feet tall. Doesn’t throw 95 to 100 (mph),” Leiter said on MLB Network’s “MLB Central.” “Of course from the left side, you get a reprieve because you don’t have to throw as hard generally speaking. He is a guy that I’ve known since before the (2021) draft … second round out of UVA. Great kid , great family. … He is the same kid. … I hate to do comparisons this early. But when I see his disposition and size, I see a young Tom Glavine. Curveball better than Tommy’s. And Tommy’s change-up is better. And (Abbott’s) command’s not there yet. But he’s got a fastball that if you watch it, it’s firm. I’m not saying it’s not. The curveball spin rate is elite already. He throws an elevated high fastball with curveball down in the zone , occasional change-up to righties. … He was in Double-A for a short time. He struck out 20 percent of the batters he faced. He’s 54 innings in the minor-leagues, 90 strikeouts. This is one of those things. Thank you, Cincinnati Reds front office for promoting a guy that deserves it. … Under control. He knows who he is. Yeah, I get excited about a guy like this.”
The Enquirer’s Charlie Goldsmith wrote that Abbott’s debut changed with a mound visit from catcher Luke Maile in the second inning.
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Al Leiter on Cincinnati LHP Andrew Abbott: ‘I see a young Tom Glavine’