Abbott, a second-round pick in 2021, made 25 starts for the Reds last season before a left shoulder strain put him on the shelf. There was talk of a return toward the end of September, but the team went the cautious route, prioritizing a normal offseason. Abbott enjoyed similar results to his rookie year before the injury, but his strikeout rate fell precipitously to a shade under 20 percent. He will likely need to ramp that back up if he is to maintain similar ratios, especially since he's a fairly heavy flyball pitcher in Cincinnati. The southpaw is tentatively lined up to open 2025 with a rotation spot, but he will need to prove his health and earn it in Cactus League play. Read Past Outlooks