Andrew Abbott might finally end the Reds’ most persistent All-Star drought

Andrew Abbott doesn’t have the blazing fastball of Hunter Greene or the knee-buckling changeup of Nick Martinez. He’s not a control artist like Nick Lodolo. Still, Abbott has been the Cincinnati Reds’ most dependable and dominant pitcher, and if he’s rewarded with an All-Star selection, he could break a 30-year curse.

Armed with a fastball that somehow baffles hitters despite averaging just 92 mph, Abbott is having the best season of his young career. He ranks in the 75th percentile or above in exit velocity, strikeout rate, and hard-hit rate, and his plus-11 run value ranks ninth in the National League.

If he bounces back from his tough outing against the Milwaukee Brewers, Abbott could become the first left-handed starter to represent the Reds at the Midsummer Classic since John Smiley in 1995.

Andrew Abbott’s strong start could catapult the Reds' lefty to the All-Star Game

Abbott is on pace to set some other southpaw marks as well. His 9.9 K/9 and 6.4 H/9 would both be the highest single-season mark by a left-hander in Reds history. His 1.062 WHIP would rank fifth behind, among others, perhaps the greatest Reds lefty (at least the one with the best name) Noodles Hahn. Due to Abbott’s history of short outings, it seems unlikely that he’ll post any jaw-dropping counting stats, but his rates are among the best ever.

Will Abbott actually be able to keep up this pace? That’s where things get a little more complicated. The lefty is historically a first-half pitcher. His career first-half OPS is .658, but his second-half OPS jumps to .840. He’s won just five of his 20 second-half starts and has been injury prone in the waning months of the season.

It’s unlikely, therefore, that Abbott will finish the season among the ranks of the great Noodles, but in the short term, he has a legitimate shot at an All-Star nod. With Greene on the IL, there are only a handful of real Reds contenders.

Considering the pitchers are selected by the players and the Commissioner’s Office, Abbott may have an even better chance. Perhaps his peers will recognize that greatness is not necessarily flashy; it’s solid, repeatable, and consistent, just like Andrew Abbott.

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