Prospect Report: Andrew Abbott Strikes Out Nine

Andrew Abbott, LHP, Reds: It's been a magical first half of the season for Abbott as the lefthander is continuing his run of dominance at Triple-A. On Wednesday Abbott went 6.1 innings, striking out nine and allowing two hits and three walks. Abbott's advanced sequencing and feel for his three-pitch arsenal has allowed him to find success. While there were worries the pre-tacked ball in the Southern League was driving his early success, Abbott has been strong through his first six Triple-A starts, posting a 3.16 ERA with a 3.57 xFIP, a 1.12 WHIP and striking out 35.7% of batters he has faced at the level. However, Abbott's walk rate has double with the promotion to Triple-A and he's been lucky on balls in play (.242 BABIP) while stranding 90.6% of runners on base. Despite these hickeys, Abbott should see an opportunity in Cincinnati shortly.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 1B, Reds: The Reds corner infield prospect is an unusual player, as he's continued to find tremendous success at each level of the minors despite having an overly aggressive approach and some swing-and-miss. Despite a 27.2% strikeout rate and a 2.4% walk rate, Encarnacion-Strand is hitting .353/.376/.714 over 27 games with 18 extra-base hits, including 11 home runs. While the strikeouts and lack of walks are worrisome, it's hard to ignore the damage CES can do upon contact. On Wednesday Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-5 with a double and a home run. There are major questions around whether or not this style of approach will work in the big leagues, but Encarnacion-Strand has found success in the minors.

Oswald Peraza, SS, Yankees: The forgotten man in the Yankees system, Peraza continues to find success at Triple-A. Over 16 games with Scranton-Wilkes Barre Peraza is hitting .343/.397/.567 with four home runs and five stolen bases. While Peraza has struggled in the major leagues this season, he's too talented a player to write off. On Wednesday Peraza went 2-for-5 with a home run in a win over Worcester.

Noah Cameron, LHP, Royals: The Royals 2021 seventh-round pick made his debut in Double-A on Wednesday and it was more of the same strong performances we've come to expect from Cameron in 2023. The lefthander went seven innings, striking out six, allowing three hits and a walk and generating 18 swinging strikes. Cameron uses a low-90s fastball with above-average induced vertical break, a changeup with good vertical separation off of his fastball and a two-plane curveball. His command of his arsenal and ability to tunnel his pitches off of his fastball allows Cameron success despite below-average stuff.

Landon Knack, RHP, Dodgers: The Tulsa rotation is loaded with potential major league-caliber pitchers. In fact, it wouldn't be a shock if six to seven pitchers on that staff have productive major league careers. While other pitchers may have more helium at the moment than Knack, the righthander has been excellent in 2023 and Wednesday was no different. Knack went seven scoreless innings, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out six on 15 swinging strikes and 16 looking strikes.

Anthony Solometo, LHP, Pirates: The big lefthander with the unusual mechanics is enjoying another strong season in 2023. On Wednesday Solometo went six scoreless, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out six on a dozen swinging strikes and a dozen looking strikes. He combines a four-seam fastball at 92-94 mph with a mid-80s slider, a mid-to-high-80s cutter and a changeup that keeps hitters off balance, and his unusual mechanics hide the ball well.

Jackson Holliday, SS, Orioles: Holliday played two games on Wednesday. In the first game he collected multiple hits, three to be exact. Rinse and repeat.

Yanquiel Fernandez, OF, Rockies: Day after day this season the Rockies outfield prospect keeps on mashing. While Fernandez is an aggressive swinger it has not hurt him in 2023. He's up to 11 home runs on the season while hitting . 333/.349/.623 with 41 RBIs in 37 games. Fernandez hit his 11th home run of the season on Wednesday and seems to have a knack for driving in runs—he has 153 RBIs over 152 games dating back to the start of 2022.

Luis Lara, OF, Brewers: How do the Brewers find these guys? A year after Chourio took the Class A levels by storm, Lara is impressing over his first month with Low-A Carolina. On Wednesday Lara went 2-for-4 with a double and a walk. He now has a hit in 13 of his first 20 games in full-season ball as an 18-year-old. Lara is the same age as the high school players in this July's draft.

Reds' Andrew Abbott Pushes For Callup

The 23-year-old lefthander is on the verge of making his big league debut fewer than two years after being drafted.