LHP 6-0 175 Virginia
2020 Virginia stat line - 9-appearances, 3-0, 1.35, 13.1-IP, 28-K
1-20-21 - D1 Baseball's top 100 College Prospects -
55 Andrew Abbott LHP Virginia ACC
1-15-21 - ncaa.com -
In the two fall scrimmages I saw at Disharoon Park at Davenport Field, Virginia’s four talented weekend starter candidates went head-to-head on back-to-back days. Notably, fourth-year junior left-hander Andrew Abbott has worked as a starter all fall, after serving as the linchpin of the bullpen over the last three seasons. And he was dominant in the three scoreless innings I saw, striking out three while allowing just one baserunner. Abbott carved up the zone at 91-93 and showcased his typical wipeout curveball at 75-79 with a high spin rate in the 2700-2900 rpm range, one of the best breaking balls in college baseball. He also mixed in a firm but effective changeup at 85-87, giving him a solid third offering to combat righties. Abbott ranked No. 64 on our Top 150 college prospects list for the 2020 draft, and we expected some pro team would surely take him in the top five rounds and sign him — so did the Cavaliers. But the buzz among scouts is that Abbott stuck firm to his high asking price, and he went undrafted, giving UVA its biggest mound weapon for another year. As good as he’s been in the bullpen, Abbott changes the dynamics of Virginia’s staff by sliding into the rotation and potentially eating up 100-plus innings; his career high for innings as a reliever was 51. He has the best combination of stuff, command and experience on this staff, so it makes sense to maximize his workload.
1-14-21 - Baseball America
Andrew Abbott
Virginia LHP
Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 175 | B-T: L-L
Commit/Drafted: Yankees '17 (36)
Age At Draft: 22.1
A small-framed, 6 feet, 175-pound lefthander, Abbott has been a consistent weapon for Virginia’s bullpen since he stepped on campus. After adding nine relief appearances in the shortened 2020 season, Abbott has a 3.24 career ERA for the Cavaliers in 108.1 innings of work, with 165 strikeouts (13.7 per nine) and 49 walks (4.1 per nine). He has also excelled as a reliever with Team USA and posted a 2.70 ERA in 26.2 innings in the Cape Cod League over two summers. Simply put, Abbott has done his job at a high level wherever he’s been. He can run his fastball into the 94-95 mph range, but sits in the 89-93 range typically, with a breaking ball in the mid-to-upper 70s that features solid depth. A competitive arm on the mound, Abbott has faced questions about his size and the durability issues that may come from that, but there aren’t many relievers in the class with as much extensive track record as he’s compiled throughout his career.
2021
• Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Third Team Preseason All-American (Relief Pitcher)
• Perfect Game Second Team Preseason All-American (Relief Pitcher)
2020
• Ranked No. 7 in D1Baseball.com’s Top 50 relief pitchers in college baseball
• Appeared in nine games, all out of the bullpen, the second most on the staff
• His 1.35 ERA was the lowest among UVA relievers and fifth lowest among ACC relievers with 10 or more innings pitched
• Struck out 28 batters (the most among any ACC reliever) in 13.1 innings pitched
• Recorded team-high three wins against VMI (2/19), William & Mary (2/25) and Dartmouth (3/1)
• Pitched a season-high 3.1 innings pitched and struck out a career-high eight batters in win over William & Mary (2/25)
• Did not allow an earned run in his first 10 innings pitched allowed only two in 13.1 innings pitched on the year
• Credited with a team-best three bullpen holds – vs. Oklahoma (2/14), Dartmouth (2/29) and NC State (3/6)
lwos -
MLB Comp
Andrew Abbott is a tricky player to comp. There are not many active left-handed relief pitchers that are undersized like he is and thrive with two pitches. However, that does not mean that there aren’t pitchers to compare him to.
Ranger Suarez of the Philadelphia Phillies is one undersized left-handed reliever. He stands six-feet, one-inch tall and he weighs 180 pounds. He utilizes a much different pitch mix than Abbott, but he is able to find success despite his size, and he posted a 3.14 ERA in 2019.
Jalen Beeks of the Tampa Bay Rays is another undersized left-handed reliever. He stands five-feet, eleven inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. Beeks uses a fastball, curveball combo, but his changeup is more prominently used than his curveball.
Andrew Abbott will be a good pickup for any team, especially one that wants a quicker return on their investment.
Mack's spin -
Going from a reliever to a starter is one thing. It's even more if you are six feet or under.
My guess, his future is at a reliever and that's why I place him in the 7th-12th round area.
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