Jose Trevino, a Cincinnati Reds catcher, had no hesitation when asked about the possibility of one of his team’s star pitchers being considered for the upcoming All-Star Game. In reference to Andrew Abbott’s outstanding performance, Trevino confidently stated, ‘Should he be a starter for the All-Star Game? Absolutely, he’s unquestionably good.’
Andrew Abbott had been performing brilliantly for the Reds ahead of his game on Saturday, June 28th, 2025. This start was considered by many to be his final audition for the MLB All-Star Game to be held at Atlanta. Many believed Abbott’s exceptional game record provided an unequivocal argument for his inclusion, but he fortified his All-Star candidacy with yet another compelling performance against the San Diego Padres.
During the Saturday game at the Great American Ball Park, Abbott impressively held his own for five innings. He only gave up one run, allowing seven hits while also walking two batters and striking out four. He was leading 3-1 when he was substituted from the game, and the Reds extended their lead to 4-1 by the end of the fifth inning.
Unfortunately, despite Abbott’s strong start, the game didn’t end in the Reds’ favor. After Abbott’s removal, the Padres mounted a comeback, led by Gavin Sheets’ significant three-run homer off Lyon Richardson in the seventh inning. This shifted the lead to the Padres, resulting in a 6-4 win. Consequently, Abbott’s sterling record of 7-1 and an ERA of 1.79 remained unaltered post-game.
Interestingly, Abbott’s ERA secured him an eighth position in the list of Reds pitchers with the lowest ERAs for the first 14 innings in a season, after ERAs were officially included as a statistic in the National League since 1912. This is a testament to his season performance, further solidifying the case for his All-Star entry.
In a nail-biting ninth inning, the Reds threatened a comeback with Spencer Steer at bat and two men on bases. Despite recent home runs, Steer unfortunately struck out, resulting in the end of the game. The Reds, nonetheless, had been able to stay in contention until the very last, due majorly to the foundational groundwork laid by Abbott during his time on the ‘mound’.
During the game, Abbott displayed great resilience and grit, especially during challenging times. One such instance was during the fourth inning when he efficiently handled a precarious bases-loaded situation with just one out. The single run he allowed was fifth-inning solo homer by Luis Arraez. Abbott’s commendable demeanor throughout this demanding game only strengthened his All-Star potential.
Even though there will be several games before the key July 15 All-Star Game, Abbott seized this occasion as a crucial platform to showcase his proficient skills to his peers. The All-Star voting system includes votes for starting pitchers from fellow players, albeit with a tough level of competition. Abbott’s performance undeniably put the Reds in a favorable position.
Abbott’s admirable performance becomes even more impactful when considering the context of the Reds’ bullpen. Due to a strong stint by Nick Martinez the previous day on Friday, June 27, which spared most of the bullpen, Abbott’s efforts were instrumental in maintaining their advantageous position. Reds manager Terry Francona applauded Abbott’s efforts, acknowledging his one run allowed as ‘truly impressive’, despite the challenging circumstances.
Following the game, Abbott’s All-Star profile enriched further, marking his twelfth game with at least five innings pitched. By the time of his game against the Padres, he ranked fifth among National League pitchers in WAR (Wins Above Replacement) with a score of 3.0. The four leading him in this metric include Paul Skenes of Pittsburgh (4.1), Zack Wheeler (3.7) and Cristopher Sánchez (3.4) from Philadelphia, and MacKenzie Gore of Washington (3.1).
Abbott’s MLB journey for the season of 2025 had a surprising start. Despite not breaking camp with the Reds following spring training, he managed to carve a successful path for himself with two initial starts at Triple-A Louisville and a brief period on the injured list. His 2025 journey with the Reds effectively commenced from April 12 and he has been on a star-worthy trajectory ever since.
Brady Singer, fellow Reds starter, echoed the sentiment advocating strongly for Abbott’s inclusion in the All-Star Game. Pointing out Abbott’s phenomenal ERA, Singer asserted that he’s one of the finest pitchers in the league this year and the potential All-Star recognition is well-deserved. Emilio Pagán, a Reds reliever and an All-Star contender himself, further emphasized that Abbott’s exceptional pitching performance was All-Star-worthy.
Pagán, who ingratiated himself as an All-Star candidate by converting 18 out of 21 save opportunities in the first half of the season with a 3.18 ERA, openly endorsed Abbott. He lauded Abbott’s talent, crediting him as ‘one of the best pitchers in the game.’ Recognizing the significant implications of All-Star consideration on career earnings, Pagán asserted, ‘We, as players, owe it to each other to vote for the deserving. Abbott, without a doubt, qualifies.’