Cory Abbott

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Cory Abbott

|image =

|team = Texas Rangers

|number =

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|9|20}}

|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 =

Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|2021}})
Washington Nationals ({{mlby|2022}}–{{mlby|2023}})

}}

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

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).{{cite web |url=https://hs.utpreps.com/news_article/show/356198-2014-baseball-players-to-watch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605232116/https://hs.utpreps.com/news_article/show/356198-2014-baseball-players-to-watch |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 5, 2021 |title=2014 Baseball players to watch |publisher=Hs.utpreps.com |date=March 4, 2014 |access-date=May 2, 2021 }}

Undrafted out of high school in the 2014 MLB draft, he enrolled and played college baseball at Loyola Marymount University.{{cite web|author=Mark Whicker |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2017/05/08/lmu-pitcher-cory-abbott-rides-his-slider-to-new-heights/ |title=LMU pitcher Cory Abbott rides his slider to new heights – Daily News |publisher=Dailynews.com |date= May 8, 2017|access-date=May 2, 2021}} In 2016, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web|url=http://pointstreak.com/baseball/player.html?playerid=998884 |title=#27 Cory Abbott – Profile |publisher=pointstreak.com |access-date=May 6, 2020}} 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 {{frac|98|1|3}} innings,{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/chicago-cubs/cubs-second-round-pick-cory-abbott-threw-perfect-game-college |title=Cubs' second-round pick Cory Abbott threw perfect game in college | RSN |publisher=Nbcsports.com |date=June 13, 2017 |access-date=May 2, 2021}} and threw a perfect game.{{cite web|author=|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/cory-abbott-threw-the-first-perfect-game-in-loyala-marymount-history-012014272.html |title=Cory Abbott threw the first perfect game in Loyola Marymount history |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |date=March 25, 2017 |access-date=May 2, 2021}} After the season, he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the second round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-draft-cory-abbott-with-67th-overall-pick-c235984792 |title=Cubs draft Cory Abbott with 67th overall pick |work=Mlb.com |date= |access-date=May 2, 2021}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/cubs/press-release/cubs-name-of-nelson-velazquez-rhp-cory-abbott-minor-league-player-pitc-293613910 |title=Cubs name OF Nelson Velazquez, RHP Cory Abbott Minor League Player, Pitcher of the Month for August |work=Mlb.com |date=September 6, 2018 |access-date=May 2, 2021}}

Abbott spent 2019 with the Double-A Tennessee Smokies,{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/chicago-cubs-prospect-cory-abbott-continues-upward-trend/|title=Chicago Cubs Prospect Cory Abbott Continues Upward Trend|first=Kyle|last=Glaser|website=Baseballamerica.com|date=June 8, 2018 }} pitching to an 8–8 record with a 3.01 ERA over 26 starts, striking out 166 (leading the league) over {{fraction|146|2|3}} innings.

Abbott did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=February 24, 2025|website=mlb.com|language=en}} On November 20, 2020, the Cubs added Abbott to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cubs/ct-chicago-cubs-cory-abbott-roster-moves-20201120-pqi6iipbxzadfdkjbqoeuvaopa-story.html|title=Chicago Cubs add 3 to their 40-man roster, leaving 3 spots open for free-agent signings or trade acquisitions|first=Mark|last=Gonzales|website=chicagotribune.com|date=November 20, 2020 }}

On June 5, 2021, Abbott was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/06/cubs-activate-jason-heyward-designate-nick-martini-claim-dakota-chalmers.html|title = Cubs Activate Jason Heyward, Designate Nick Martini, Claim Dakota Chalmers|website=Mlbtraderumors.com| date=June 5, 2021 }} 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, the Cubs optioned Abbott to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs.{{cite web|url=https://boxscorenews.com/chicago-cubs-select-lhp-kyle-ryan-from-triplea-iowa-option-rhp-cory-abbot-p161240-188.htm|title=Chicago Cubs select LHP Kyle Ryan from Triple-A Iowa, option RHP Cory Abbott to Iowa

|website=Boxscorenews.com|access-date=June 20, 2021}} On October 1, Abbott collected his first career hit, a single off of St. Louis Cardinals starter Dakota Hudson.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/indians/video/cory-abbott-s-first-hit|title=Cory Abbott's first hit | 10/01/2021|website=MLB.com|access-date=November 17, 2021}}

On April 16, 2022, Abbott was designated for assignment by the Cubs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/04/cubs-option-alfonso-rivas-dfa-cory-abbott-greg-deichmann.html|title=Cubs Option Alfonso Rivas, DFA Cory Abbott, Greg Deichmann|website=MLB Trade Rumors|last=Zeneka|first=TC|date=April 16, 2022|access-date=April 16, 2022}}

=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.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/05/nationals-claim-cory-abbott-move-sean-doolittle-to-60-day-il.html | title=Nationals Claim Cory Abbott, Move Sean Doolittle to 60-Day IL | date=May 4, 2022 }} 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.{{Cite web|title=Nationals' Cory Abbott: Moves to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/nationals-cory-abbott-moves-to-triple-a/amp/|access-date=2023-03-14|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} In 22 games for the Nationals, he struggled to a 6.64 ERA with 40 strikeouts across {{fraction|39|1|3}} innings of work. On November 14, 2023, Abbott was designated for assignment by Washington after multiple prospects were added to the 40–man roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/nationals-dfa-dominic-smith-cory-abbott-release-andres-machado.html|title=Nationals DFA Dominic Smith, Cory Abbott|date=November 14, 2023|website=MLB Trade Rumors}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/01/mariners-sign-cory-abbott-pitcher-minors.html|title=Mariners Sign Cory Abbott To Minor League Contract|date=January 9, 2024|website=MLB Trade Rumors}} He made one start for the Triple–A Tacoma Rainiers before being released by the Mariners organization on April 3.{{Cite web|title=Mariners Release Cory Abbott|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/04/mariners-release-cory-abbott.html|access-date=April 4, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=April 4, 2024 |language=en}}

=Chicago White Sox=

On April 12, 2024, Abbott signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.{{Cite web|title=White Sox Sign Pitcher Cory Abbott To Minors Deal|url=https://www.soxon35th.com/white-sox-sign-pitcher-cory-abbot-to-minor-league-deal/|access-date=April 12, 2024|website=soxon35th.com|date=April 12, 2024 |language=en}} On July 1, Abbott was named the International League Pitcher of the Week.{{cite web |title=Cory Abbott Named IL Pitcher of the Week |url=https://www.milb.com/charlotte-knights/news/cory-abbott-named-il-pitcher-of-the-week |website=MiLB.com |access-date=18 December 2024 |language=en}} In 30 appearances for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, he posted a 5-5 record and 5.80 ERA with 78 strikeouts across {{fraction|71|1|3}} innings pitched. Abbott elected free agency following the season on November 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2024/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2024|work=Baseball America|date=November 6, 2024|accessdate=November 6, 2024|first=Matt|last=Eddy}}

=Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos=

On February 22, 2025, Abbott signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=Tecos: Más pitcheo abridor con la llegada del diestro Cory Abbott|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/tecos-mas-pitcheo-abridor-con-la-llegada-del-diestro-cory-abbott|access-date=February 24, 2025|website=milb.com|language=en}} In three starts for the Tecolotes, Abbott posted a 1-1 record and 2.40 ERA with 15 strikeouts over 15 innings of work.

=Texas Rangers=

On May 7, 2025, Abbott signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.{{Cite web|title=Rangers, Cory Abbott Agree To Minor League Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/05/rangers-cory-abbott-agree-to-minor-league-deal.html|access-date=May 7, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}