Andrew Abbott, Virginia Cavaliers
A left-handed pitcher might be in the future for the Chicago White Sox via the draft.
The senior southpaw Andrew Abbott for Virginia is a potential pick for the White Sox. He does not have the big fastball and sharp slider Crochet has but Abbot’s fastball and curveball combination could be the variety in the bullpen the Sox need.
At 22 years old, 6 foot 180 pounds, Abbott’s 55 graded fastball sits around the low 90s and has touched 96. His fastball has some cut and his delivery is funky. With this combined, he generates a lot of swings and misses.
Abbott’s complimentary pitch is his 60-graded curveball. His hook has a bit of movement that runs away from left-handed hitters. It also generates swings and misses. He has a changeup in his back pocket but he is primarily a two-pitch pitcher.
Before the 2020 season cancelation, Abbott threw 13.1 innings allowing nine hits and eight walks. He recorded 40 outs, 28 of which were strikeouts. He has overwhelming stuff and strikes hitters out at a tremendously high rate but allows many walks as well.
This past season was undoubtedly his best in his four years as a Cavalier. He threw 106.2 innings, 11 more than his freshman and sophomore years combined. He was 9-6 with a 2.87 ERA while striking out 162 and walking 32. Abbott has the stuff to be top or near-top of the rotation ceiling. He is a player who could do some real damage in the bullpen as he works into his potential as a solid-strike thrower.
On Tuesday, Virginia lost a heart-breaker to Mississippi St. 6-5. Tonight, if the Cavaliers beat the Texas Longhorns, they will have a chance at revenge and play the Bulldogs tomorrow night. Abbott’s last start was a six-inning gem against Tennessee. He walked two but struck out 10, shutting out the Volunteers. Abbott will most likely start tonight against the Longhorns. If not, he will appear in a crucial situation.