The Andrew Abbott renaissance begins tonight in Chicago
Or, Abbott gets rocked again - this time by the Cubs.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 18: Andrew Abbott #41 of the Cincinnati Reds takes the field prior to the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Michael Turner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images On the surface, just about everything that Cincinnati Reds lefty Andrew Abbott has been throwing this year is the same as it was during his All Star campaign in 2025. His fastball, never a true heater, is within 0.
4 mph of last year’s average, and obviously he’s been pitching in the cooler weather of April. It’s usage is almost identical, and he’s leaned on his curveball and change just about the same exact amount this year as last. He’s virtually abandoned his cutter (just 0.
3% of his pitches this year), but even last season it was used just 4. 3% of the time. The only thing that jumps off the page when breaking down his stuff this year is that his velocities on his secondary pitches have been oddly off.
While he chucked his curve at 81. 0 mph on average last year, it’s nearly two full mph slower in 2026 (79. 3 mph).