Cory Abbott Explained

Cory Abbott
Team:Chicago White Sox
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:20 September 1995
Birth Place:San Diego, California, U.S.
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:June 5
Debutyear:2021
Debutteam:Chicago Cubs
Statleague:MLB
Statyear:2023 season
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:1–7
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:6.02
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:97
Teams:

Cory James Abbott (born September 20, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Chicago White Sox organization. He played college baseball at Loyola Marymount University. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the second round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cubs and Washington Nationals.

Amateur career

Abbott attended Junipero Serra High School in San Diego, California. As a senior, he went 7–2 with a 1.52 earned run average (ERA).[1]

Undrafted out of high school in the 2014 MLB draft, he enrolled and played college baseball at Loyola Marymount University.[2] In 2016, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[3] As a junior in 2017, he went 11–2 with a 1.74 ERA in 15 starts, with 130 strikeouts (2nd in the conference) in innings,[4] and threw a perfect game.[5] After the season, he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the second round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.[6]

Professional career

Chicago Cubs

Abbott signed with the Cubs and made his professional season with the Eugene Emeralds, compiling a 3.86 ERA over 14 innings. He pitched 2018 with the South Bend Cubs and Myrtle Beach Pelicans, going 8–6 with a 2.50 ERA in 22 starts, and 131 strikeouts in 115 innings, between the two clubs.[7]

He spent 2019 with the Tennessee Smokies,[8] pitching to an 8–8 record with a 3.01 ERA over 26 starts, striking out 166 (leading the league) over innings.

Abbott did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cubs added Abbott to their 40-man roster after the 2020 season.[9]

On June 5, 2021, Abbott was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[10] He made his MLB debut that day, pitching two scoreless innings of relief against the San Francisco Giants. In the game, he also notched his first major league strikeout, punching out Giants pitcher Kevin Gausman. On June 20, 2021, the Cubs optioned Abbott to AAA Iowa.[11] On October 1, Abbott collected his first career hit, a single off of St. Louis Cardinals starter Dakota Hudson.[12]

On April 16, 2022, Abbott was designated for assignment by the Cubs.[13]

Washington Nationals

On April 21, 2022, Abbott was traded to the San Francisco Giants for cash considerations. Abbott was claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals on May 4.[14] He made 16 appearances (9 starts) for Washington down the stretch, posting an 0–5 record and 5.25 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 48 innings pitched.

Abbott was optioned to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings to begin the 2023 season.[15] In 22 games for the Nationals, he struggled to a 6.64 ERA with 40 strikeouts across innings of work. On November 14, 2023, Abbott was designated for assignment by Washington after multiple prospects were added to the 40–man roster.[16] He was non-tendered and became a free agent on November 17.

Seattle Mariners

On January 9, 2024, Abbott signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.[17] He made one start for the Triple–A Tacoma Rainiers before being released by the Mariners organization on April 3.[18]

Chicago White Sox

On April 12, 2024, Abbott signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.[19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2014 Baseball players to watch . Hs.utpreps.com . March 4, 2014. May 2, 2021.
  2. Web site: Mark Whicker . LMU pitcher Cory Abbott rides his slider to new heights – Daily News . Dailynews.com . May 8, 2017. May 2, 2021.
  3. Web site: #27 Cory Abbott – Profile . pointstreak.com . May 6, 2020.
  4. Web site: Cubs' second-round pick Cory Abbott threw perfect game in college | RSN . Nbcsports.com . June 13, 2017 . May 2, 2021.
  5. Web site: Cory Abbott threw the first perfect game in Loyola Marymount history . Sports.yahoo.com . March 25, 2017 . May 2, 2021.
  6. Web site: Cubs draft Cory Abbott with 67th overall pick . Mlb.com . May 2, 2021.
  7. Web site: Cubs name OF Nelson Velazquez, RHP Cory Abbott Minor League Player, Pitcher of the Month for August . Mlb.com . September 6, 2018 . May 2, 2021.
  8. Web site: Chicago Cubs Prospect Cory Abbott Continues Upward Trend. Kyle. Glaser. Baseballamerica.com. June 8, 2018 .
  9. Web site: Chicago Cubs add 3 to their 40-man roster, leaving 3 spots open for free-agent signings or trade acquisitions. Mark. Gonzales. chicagotribune.com. November 20, 2020 .
  10. Web site: Cubs Activate Jason Heyward, Designate Nick Martini, Claim Dakota Chalmers. Mlbtraderumors.com. June 5, 2021 .
  11. Web site: Chicago Cubs select LHP Kyle Ryan from Triple-A Iowa, option RHP Cory Abbott to Iowa. Boxscorenews.com. June 20, 2021.
  12. Web site: Cory Abbott's first hit | 10/01/2021. MLB.com. November 17, 2021.
  13. Web site: Cubs Option Alfonso Rivas, DFA Cory Abbott, Greg Deichmann. MLB Trade Rumors. Zeneka. TC. April 16, 2022. April 16, 2022.
  14. Web site: Nationals Claim Cory Abbott, Move Sean Doolittle to 60-Day IL . May 4, 2022 .
  15. Web site: Nationals' Cory Abbott: Moves to Triple-A. 2023-03-14. cbssports.com. en.
  16. Web site: Nationals DFA Dominic Smith, Cory Abbott. November 14, 2023. MLB Trade Rumors.
  17. Web site: Mariners Sign Cory Abbott To Minor League Contract. January 9, 2024. MLB Trade Rumors.
  18. Web site: Mariners Release Cory Abbott. April 4, 2024. mlbtraderumors.com. April 4, 2024 . en.
  19. Web site: White Sox Sign Pitcher Cory Abbott To Minors Deal. April 12, 2024. soxon35th.com. April 12, 2024 . en.