5 Reds minor league predictions for the 2022 season

4. Pitching prospect Andrew Abbott forces his way onto the Reds roster.

I've been singing his praises all offseason, so you didn't expect me to stop now, did you? While we all expect Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and maybe even Graham Ashcraft to make their major league debuts in 2022, I'll give you another name to watch; Andrew Abbott.

Last year's second-round pick is not too far away. Abbott is an advanced hurler who the Reds should ticket for the bullpen in 2022. Now, I'm not advocating that Cincinnati put Abbott on the Opening Day roster, though this young man's stuff is good enough to do so.

I do think, however, that you'll see Abbott soar through the team's farm system in 2022, culminating with his MLB debut in late-August or early-September. Abbott has the makings of a starter, but could be brought to the big leagues as a reliever next season.

In no way should Cincinnati give up on Abbott as a potential starter, but perhaps taking the same approach the Chicago White Sox did with Garrett Crochet wouldn't hurt. The former University of Tennessee pitcher has been part of the White Sox bullpen the last two years, but I'd expect we'll see Crochet make a run at Chicago's starting rotation in 2022.

The same could be true of Andrew Abbott. The Cincinnati Reds could start Abbott at High-A Dayton or even Double-A Chattanooga to begin his 2022 campaign, and by season's end we could see the southpaw making appearances out of the Reds bullpen.