On Monday night, the Cincinnati Reds made Andrew Abbott their fifth significant prospect to make his major league debut in 2023. Previously, Levi Stoudt, Matt McLain, Brandon Williamson, and T.J. Hopkins had all received a promotion to the big leagues earlier this season.
Stoudt has since returned to the minor leagues to work on his mechanics, while Williamson looks to be competing with Graham Ashcraft to remain in the starting rotation. McLain has asserted himself as a mainstay in the Reds lineup for the remainder of the season, and Hopkins has seen sporadic playing time since his call-up last week.
Abbott looked the part on Monday night. After some struggles early on, the left-hander seemed to settle in nicely and finished his performance by giving manager David Bell six innings of one-hit baseball. Abbott recorded six punch outs and walked four batters, but didn't allow a run.
MLB Network analyst compares Andrew Abbott to this Hall of Fame pitcher.
Of course, when any player has such an outstanding introductory performance, the national media is sure to jump onboard and beginning offering comparisons to some of the greatest players who've ever played the game.
Longtime Cincinnati Reds nemesis Al Leiter, who's an analyst for MLB Network, gave quite the compliment to Andrew Abbott following his big league debut on Monday. Leiter said that Abbott reminds him of fellow southpaw and Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine.
Leiter said that, while he hates to do a comparison so early, Abbott's disposition and size reminds him of the former Atlanta Braves star pitcher. Glavine is a two-time Cy Young Award-winner, 10-time All-Star, and was the World Series MVP during the Braves 1995 World Championship run. That's a heckuva comparison.
If Andrew Abbott's career is anywhere close to the one that Tom Glavine over his 22 years in the majors, the Cincinnati Reds front office and fanbase will be overjoyed. Here's hoping that Al Leiter's comparison is accurate.