Reds should be concerned about Andrew Abbott amid 'ugly' regression

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Reds should be concerned about Andrew Abbott amid 'ugly' regression originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cincinnati Reds are sitting atop the NL Central this season with a strong 19-11 record. Although their run differential is -5, the team is still a good one overall.

But there is some reason to worry about the team going forward. The biggest culprit is easily left-handed pitcher Andrew Abbott.

ESPN's Jeff Passan highlighted several reasons why the Reds should be concerned about Abbott. He called Abbott's regression an "ugly" sight to behold as the lefty is struggling mightily this season.

Andrew Abbott's regression has been 'ugly' sight​

"As bad as it is that Abbott's walks exceed four per nine innings, his paltry strikeout rate (5.97 per nine innings) is arguably worse," Passan writes. "In a home stadium such as Great American Ball Park, that combination is a recipe for disaster."

Abbott has had some brutal struggles this season, as that very high walk rate and low strikeout rate over nine innings is not a good combination to have.

As Passan pointed out, the hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark makes those numbers sting a whole lot more as well. So far this season, Abbott has allowed a 6.59 ERA with a 0-2 record.

Through six starts and 28.2 innings, Abbott has struck out just 19 batters, while walking 13 on the season. Those are some terrible splits, and not conducive to good pitching.

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Abbott posted a 2.87 ERA in 29 starts last year; his 149 strikeouts to 43 walks were also a strong ratio. But, as Passan notes, "Abbott has always outpitched his peripherals."

This season has been different. He's struggling a lot more than normal and is regressing to the mean, which Passan writes "... is an ugly sight to behold."

Things are not going well for the Reds' 26-year-old lefty, as he's struggled a lot this season with his 6.59 ERA and poor walk and strikeout numbers.

It's only six starts, and he could still turn things around. But the Reds should be very worried about their lefty starter, as his struggles this season, if they continue, could lead to a disastrous year.

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