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Former Virginia Pitcher Andrew Abbott Dazzles in MLB Debut

Abbott threw six scoreless innings and gave up just one hit in his MLB debut for the Cincinnati Reds

Matt Newton

Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Former Virginia pitcher Andrew Abbott made his much-anticipated Major League Baseball debut for the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night. His first night on the Big League mound couldn't have gone much better. The left-hander pitched six scoreless innings, giving up just one hit, striking out six batters, and earning his first-career victory as the Reds shut out the Milwaukee Brewers 2-0. 

Abbott's MLB debut came less than two years after he concluded his collegiate career by leading Virginia to Omaha for its fifth appearance at the College World Series. After spending the first three seasons at UVA primarily as a reliever, Abbott enjoyed a breakout senior season in 2021 as a starter. He struck out 162 batters that season, the second-most in a single season in program history, and was a consensus All-American and First-Team All-ACC selection. Abbott became just the second Cavalier pitcher to reach 300 career strikeouts and is still second all-time in UVA program history with 327 career strikeouts. 

That strong senior campaign led to Abbott being selected with the 53rd overall pick in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Reds. After showing some great potential in his first season and a half in the minor leagues, Abbott came into the 2023 season as one of the most exciting candidates to be brought up to the majors. Given how he started this summer, the Reds had no choice but to give Abbott the call. In 10 starts this season for the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts and Triple-A Louisville Bats, Abbott went 4-0 with a 2.50 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP, recording 90 strikeouts to just 17 walks in 54 innings pitched. 

The Reds officially called Abbott up to the majors over the weekend and scheduled his first MLB start for Monday night against the Brewers. When the opportunity of a lifetime finally arrived, Andrew Abbott was ready. The tape speaks for itself:

Abbott's MLB debut wasn't just great. It was historically great. According to Stats Perform, Abbott is the only left-handed pitcher in the modern era of Major League Baseball to throw six or more shutout innings with at least six strikeouts while surrendering no more than one hit in his MLB debut. And according to MLB.com, Abbott also became the first Reds pitcher since 1893 - yes, 1893 - to throw six scoreless innings of one-hit baseball in his MLB debut. 

Dozens of family and friends were on hand in Cincinnati to celebrate Abbott's fantastic debut in person, but his old college baseball coach Brian O'Connor made sure to FaceTime Abbott after the game to offer his congratulations:

Welcome to Major League Baseball, Andrew Abbott. 

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Matt Newton
MATT NEWTON

Matt launched Virginia Cavaliers On SI in August of 2021 and has since served as the site's publisher and managing editor, covering all 23 NCAA Division I sports teams at the University of Virginia. He is from Downingtown, Pennsylvania and graduated from UVA in May of 2021.

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