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Reds: 3 biggest steals from Day 2 of the MLB Draft

By Drew Koch

Jun 21, 2021; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; NC State Wolfpack infielder Jose Torres (8) celebrates a ninth inning double play. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 21, 2021; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; NC State Wolfpack infielder Jose Torres (8) celebrates a ninth inning double play. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oregon State Beavers pitcher Kevin Abel (23) pitches. The Reds took Abel with the 210th pick in the 2021 MLB Draft.
Jun 27, 2018; Omaha, NE, USA; Oregon State Beavers pitcher Kevin Abel (23) pitches during the eighth inning against the Arkansas Razorbacks in game two of the championship series of the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Kevin Abel, Reds 7th-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft

Kevin Abel made a name for himself in 2019 as a member of the Oregon State Beavers that won the College World Series in 2018. That season, Abel appeared in 23 games, including seven starts, and posted a 2.88 ERA in 81.1 innings of work, striking out 108 batters. This season, Abel struck out 109 over 82 innings.

Now, there’s obviously a reason that Abel fell all the way to the Cincinnati Reds at pick No. 210. One look at his walk-rate will show you why. While Abel has 242 career punch outs, he also has 116 career walks. This last season, Abel allowed 61 free passes and posted a BB/9 of 6.7.

Abel isn’t going to blow you away with his velocity. The right-hander sits in the low-90s and his four-seam fastball is sometimes clocked in the high-80s. Now, you may question that, but knowing that Abel has two plus off-speed offering might help to settle you down a bit.

There’s also the job we’ve seen the Reds’ minor league coaching staff over the last couple years. Pitchers like Lucas Sims, Tejay Antone, and Ryan Hendrix have learned how to hone their skills and increase the velocity. I expect the same results from Abel.

Kevin Abel has starter potential; more of a back-of-the-rotation starter, but those types of players are necessary as well. Abel has a three-pitch mix, and relies on that plus-changeup to get hitters out. We’ll see how the Oregon State product develops in Cincinnati’s farm system.

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