Andrew Abbott’s Dramatic Turnaround Has Stabilized the Reds’ Rotation

Andrew Abbott had a 7.22 ERA in the month of April, the worst month of his career from an ERA standpoint. Only three of his six appearances went past the fifth inning, and he allowed more than five runs twice. Abbott’s strikeout-to-walk ratio was 20-to-14, and he allowed five home runs in his six starts, totaling 23 earned runs allowed across the month.

Funnily enough, Cincinnati was able to win four of those poor starts by Abbott. It was a time of the season when the Reds’ offense was much more dangerous and could overcome the inconsistency of its pitching staff.

However, ever since the calendar flipped to May, Abbott has been a completely different pitcher. In five appearances in May, Abbott dropped his ERA from 7.22 in April to 1.61 in May, allowing just five earned runs across 28 innings pitched.

While June hasn’t been as dominant as May, he has been extremely solid, posting a 3.27 ERA across four starts. His five innings of one-run ball against the New York Yankees were among his best outings yet, as he recorded six strikeouts for just the second time this season and for the second time in his last three starts.

Abbott threw 97 pitches, leaning heavily on his four-seam fastball and sweeper, which Baseball Savant says he threw a combined 63 times. He located the sweeper throughout the strike zone, using it inside, outside, and down against Yankees hitters.

His slow start to the season was especially alarming given the Reds’ starting rotation situation. Abbott entered the year as the No. 2 starter for the Reds, with Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo struggling with injuries.

Abbott’s ability to settle in and post five quality starts in his last 10 outings is second only to Chase Burns in the Reds’ starting rotation. Burns has six, while Brady Singer has two, Lodolo has two in his eight starts since returning from injury, and Rhett Lowder has three quality starts in his last 10 appearances.

Hunter Greene’s impending return points to a possible three-headed monster featuring Greene, Burns and Abbott if he can continue pitching at this level. It is also fair to believe Lodolo may return to his usual form despite his uncharacteristic 6.12 ERA through eight appearances. Given his additional year of team control after this season, it continues to appear to be a wise move to trade Lodolo at the deadline as the Reds target reliable bullpen arms or a middle-of-the-lineup bat.