This odd Reds decision might actually be fueling Andrew Abbott’s success

Coming out of spring training, few imagined Andrew Abbott would be the lynchpin in the Cincinnati Reds’ season. He didn’t even make the Opening Day roster due to a slow recovery from a shoulder injury that cost him the final two months of the 2024 season. Perhaps it should come as little surprise then that his best outings come when he is paired with Tyler Stephenson, whose role with the club has become increasingly murky of late.

Following Tuesday’s three-hit shutout of the Guardians, the pair’s chemistry is now undeniable. In five starts with Stephenson behind the plate, Abbott has limited opponents to a .436 OPS and has allowed just two runs in 32 ⅔ innings.

Jose Trevino, who has also caught five of Abbott’s games, has coaxed a higher strikeout rate from the lefty, but Abbott has been hit harder and has walked more batters than with Stephenson.

Andrew Abbott’s success with Tyler Stephenson further complicates the Reds’ catching dynamic

Perhaps this discrepancy is due to Stephenson’s ability to frame pitches that run in on right-handers; many of Abbott’s pitches have glove-side spin. Maybe it’s due to Stephenson’s superior blocking skills; Abbott has increased his chase rate and might not fear spiking a pitch to set up another. Whatever the reason, the duo’s success should be a factor when building the lineup card when Abbott is on the mound.

The Abbott-Stephenson relationship is still somewhat new. In 2023, Abbott's rookie season, catcher Luke Maile handled 20 of the lefty's 21 starts, but last season, Stephenson took the helm and guided Abbott in 17 of 25 starts. The pair seems to have taken a step forward together this year. They allowed an average of one homer per start in 2024 but have allowed just one total in 2025.

Sticking with the Abbott-Stephenson battery is a no-brainer for manager Terry Francona, and it would give Trevino a day off to prevent wear and tear. However, it doesn’t solve some long-term questions at the catching position. Trevino is under contract through the next two seasons with a club option for 2028; Stephenson, on the other hand, will become a free agent after next season if the Reds don’t sign him to an extension.

Strangely, Abbott is the only Reds starter that has performed significantly better with Stephenson than with Trevino. But there are other odd quirks about Stephenson’s season in other areas. He’s hitting .267 when he’s behind the plate compared to .189 as DH. He’s destroying left-handed pitching even though he’s historically had pretty even splits.

All this is to say, it’s been a strange season for Stephenson across the board. Perhaps finding a groove with Abbott will straighten him out and give the Reds a clear view of the catching corps.

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