Reds may already regret not extending Andrew Abbott

Andrew Abbott has absolutely dominated since his return from the injured list, and a contract extension should be on the Cincinnati Reds radar. Abbott is coming off career month of May in which he allowed just two earned runs over 32 ⅔ innings. While Abbott was never a top prospect during his time in the minors, the left-hander has matured and blossomed into a frontline starter over the past three seasons.

Although not a free agent until after the 2029 season, the earlier these types of deals gets done, the cheaper they typically are. The Reds took a similar route with Hunter Greene after his rookie campaign, and it's worked out well for Cincinnati so far.

If the Reds don't strike now, Abbott's price tag may quickly skyrocket, and Reds fans will be disappointed once again after watching one of their young stars walk away from Cincinnati.

Andrew Abbott is pitching like an ace and the Reds better pay him soon

Throughout his young career, Abbott has a history of dominating early, and struggling late. After a phenomenal first two months during his rookie season in 2023, Abbott posted a 6.09 ERA over the final two months of the season. Similarly last season, Abbott posted a 5.57 ERA in August and ended his year on the injured list.

This season, Abbott's four-seamer has seen a slight dip in velocity, but opponents are only hitting a paltry .103 against the changeup, which he's used almost exclusively against right-handed hitters. Since Abbott relies heavily on fly ball outs (75%), he's highly susceptible to homers. Fortunately through nine starts this season, Abbot has allowed only four round-trippers.

Abbott has given the Reds a chance to win every time he's stepped onto the mound this season. In his last two starts, both against a highly productive Chicago Cubs offense, Abbott allowed just one run on seven hits over 12 ⅔ innings, which contributed to two victories over the Reds' fierce division rival.

Perhaps a contract extension would be premature, but Abbott is pitching like an ace. His growth from 2023 to now shows he's ready to join Greene and lead this Reds' staff into the future. The ball is now in the Reds' court, and it's time to add some zeroes to Abbott's paycheck.

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