The Cincinnati Reds might be buried in the National League standings, but Andrew Abbott is giving them something they haven’t had in years: an All-Star case built on dominance, not just sentiment. And while the attention often goes to young flamethrowers like Paul Skenes or big-market arms like Zack Wheeler, Abbott is making his mark quietly, just how the Reds like it.
Saturday’s five-inning, one-run outing against the Padres wasn’t Abbott’s flashiest performance of the season. It was his shortest June. But it might’ve been his most important. With All-Star voting deadlines approaching, it was a final reminder: Abbott belongs in Atlanta.
A Season That Almost Didn’t Start on Time
It’s easy to forget Abbott didn’t break camp with the Reds. His 2025 season started in the minors and included a stint on the injured list. Since making his debut on April 12, all he’s done is post a 1.79 ERA across 14 starts—one of the lowest in Reds history for a pitcher through that span since ERA became an official NL stat in 1912.
Abbott doesn’t light up radar guns or carry the No. 1 overall pick pedigree. But he keeps pitching the Reds into games, posting quality start after quality start with command, poise, and a changeup that eats hitters alive.
He’s 7-1 on the year with a 3.0 WAR, ranking fifth in the NL behind only Skenes, Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez, and MacKenzie Gore—all of whom have more national attention. They don’t have Abbott’s consistency level or ability to bounce back from in-game adversity, which is on full display Saturday.
Why Abbott’s Case Is Stronger Than You Think
The 26-year-old worked through a bases-loaded jam in the fourth and only allowed a solo homer to Luis Arraez in the fifth. Manager Terry Francona praised Abbott afterward, noting how he never gives in, even as pitch counts climb and the heat rises.
“He gave up one. I mean, that’s pretty impressive,” Francona said. “It’s a good lineup… But he doesn’t give in. Holds his stuff.”
Reds players know the numbers should be enough. Catcher Jose Trevino didn’t even let the question finish before calling Abbott an All-Star. Reliever Emilio Pagán—who has his own All-Star résumé—emphasized how peer voting affects player compensation and said Abbott “has definitely pitched well enough to be called an All-Star.”
That matters. Because it’s not just about ERA or strikeouts, it’s about respect in the clubhouse, and Abbott has it.
No Flash, Just Filthy
This isn’t just a hot streak. It’s been a season-long masterclass. Abbott has 12 outings of at least five innings, all while working with limited run support and navigating the growing pains of a young Reds roster. Abbott thrives on feel, location, and resilience in an era obsessed with velocity and spin rate.
The Reds may not send many players to the Midsummer Classic. But if MLB is truly recognizing elite performance, Abbott should be on that plane to Atlanta. Even if national fans haven’t noticed yet, the league has—and so have his peers. And sometimes, that’s the loudest endorsement of all.
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