Kyle Abbott
Encyclopedia
Lawrence Kyle Abbott is a former professional baseball
player. In an eight-year career, Abbott played four seasons for the California Angels
and Philadelphia Phillies
of Major League Baseball
, as well as one season for the Kintetsu Buffaloes
of Nippon Professional Baseball. He was officially listed as standing 6 in 4 in (193.04 cm) and weighing 200 pounds (90.7 kg).
. Abbott attended high school at Mission Viejo High School
in Mission Viejo, California
, before attending college at University of California, San Diego
from 1987 until 1988. Abbott transferred to California State University, Long Beach
in 1989, where he led his team to the College World Series
for the first time in team history.
, who drafted Abbott with the ninth pick of the 1989 Major League Baseball Draft
. After signing with the Angels, Abbot played the 1989 season for the Quad Cities Angels, a minor league
affiliate of the Angels. In 73.2 innings pitched
, Abbott recorded five wins and four losses with an earned run average
(ERA) of 2.57. Baseball America
ranked Abbott as the 60th-best minor league prospect for the 1990 season.
In 1990, Abbott continued his career, playing for two minor league teams: the Edmonton Trappers
of the Pacific Coast League
and the Midland Angels of the Texas League
. In his time with the Edmonton Trappers, Abbott recorded the worst earned run average on the team, with an ERA of 14.81, over 10.1 innings pitched. After pitching in three games for the Trappers, Abbott was demoted to the double-A Midland Angels. Abbott finished the season tied for second in most wins on the team, while leading the team in losses and walks
allowed. Baseball America ranked Abbott as the eighty-fourth best prospect for the 1991 season.
Abbot began the 1991 season playing for the Trappers. Abbott recorded team highs in wins, losses, and innings pitched, leading Abbott to make his Major League debut for the California Angels on September 10, 1991, in a game against the Texas Rangers
. For his debut, Abbot served as a starting pitcher
, allowing two earned runs in six innings pitched. Abbott finished the 1991 season with a 1–2 win–loss record and an ERA of 4.58.
In the 1991 postseason, the Angels traded Abbott and Rubén Amaro, Jr.
to the Philadelphia Phillies
for outfielder
Von Hayes
.
Abbott spent the first seven games of the 1992 season with the Philadelphia Phillies, recording an 0–7 record before being demoted to the minor league Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons
. After posting an ERA of 1.54 over 35.0 innings pitched, Abbott was promoted to the Major Leagues, finishing the MLB season with a 1–14 record while allowing eighty runs over 133.1 innings pitched. Abbott finished the season tied for third in the National League
for most losses, while tying for eighth in most wild pitch
es thrown.
Abbott pitched the 1993 season for the Red Barons, leading his team in wins, innings pitched, and hits
allowed. Later that year, on November 24, 1993, Abbott was released by the Philadelphia Phillies before playing for the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes of the Japan Pacific League in 1994. Abbott helped the Buffaloes to a 68–59 record while the Buffaloes finished fourth in their division.
On December 6, 1994, Abbott signed a contract valued at $150,000 with the Phillies. Abbott spent the entire 1995 season in the Major Leagues, recording a 3.81 ERA while allowing sixteen walks with twenty-one strikeout
s. Abbott was granted free agency
on October 16, 1995.
In his last major league season, Abbott played for the Angels, signing with the team on May 29, 1996. Abbot began the year with the Midland Angels, but was promoted to the California Angels when Mark Langston
was placed on the fifteen-day disabled list
. Abbot finished the major league year with a 20.25 ERA in 4.0 innings pitched.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player. In an eight-year career, Abbott played four seasons for the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
and Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
, as well as one season for the Kintetsu Buffaloes
Kintetsu Buffaloes
The was a Nippon Professional Baseball team based in Osaka, Japan, which were in the Pacific League. The team was owned by Kinki Nippon Railway Co. and later sold to the Orix Group, the owner of the Orix BlueWave baseball team, in 2004...
of Nippon Professional Baseball. He was officially listed as standing 6 in 4 in (193.04 cm) and weighing 200 pounds (90.7 kg).
Early life
Abbott was born in Newburyport, MassachusettsNewburyport, Massachusetts
Newburyport is a small coastal city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, 35 miles northeast of Boston. The population was 21,189 at the 2000 census. A historic seaport with a vibrant tourism industry, Newburyport includes part of Plum Island...
. Abbott attended high school at Mission Viejo High School
Mission Viejo High School
Mission Viejo High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Mission Viejo, California, United States, as part of the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. The school has served the area since 1966. Students within its attendance boundaries live in western Mission...
in Mission Viejo, California
Mission Viejo, California
Mission Viejo is a city located in southern Orange County, California, U.S. in the Saddleback Valley. Mission Viejo is considered one of the largest master-planned communities ever built under a single project in the United States, and is rivaled only by Highlands Ranch, Colorado, in its size...
, before attending college at University of California, San Diego
University of California, San Diego
The University of California, San Diego, commonly known as UCSD or UC San Diego, is a public research university located in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California, United States...
from 1987 until 1988. Abbott transferred to California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Long Beach is the second largest campus of the California State University system and the third largest university in the state of California by enrollment...
in 1989, where he led his team to the College World Series
1989 College World Series
The 1989 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 2 to June 10. The forty-third tournament's champion was Wichita State University, coached by Gene Stephenson...
for the first time in team history.
Career
Abbott began his baseball career with the California AngelsLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
, who drafted Abbott with the ninth pick of the 1989 Major League Baseball Draft
1989 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1989 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental first round selections:-External links:*...
. After signing with the Angels, Abbot played the 1989 season for the Quad Cities Angels, a minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
affiliate of the Angels. In 73.2 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
, Abbott recorded five wins and four losses with an earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
(ERA) of 2.57. Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
ranked Abbott as the 60th-best minor league prospect for the 1990 season.
In 1990, Abbott continued his career, playing for two minor league teams: the Edmonton Trappers
Edmonton Trappers
The Edmonton Trappers were a minor league baseball team in the Pacific Coast League, ending with the 2004 season. Home games were played at Telus Field in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada....
of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
and the Midland Angels of the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
. In his time with the Edmonton Trappers, Abbott recorded the worst earned run average on the team, with an ERA of 14.81, over 10.1 innings pitched. After pitching in three games for the Trappers, Abbott was demoted to the double-A Midland Angels. Abbott finished the season tied for second in most wins on the team, while leading the team in losses and walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
allowed. Baseball America ranked Abbott as the eighty-fourth best prospect for the 1991 season.
Abbot began the 1991 season playing for the Trappers. Abbott recorded team highs in wins, losses, and innings pitched, leading Abbott to make his Major League debut for the California Angels on September 10, 1991, in a game against the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. For his debut, Abbot served as a starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
, allowing two earned runs in six innings pitched. Abbott finished the 1991 season with a 1–2 win–loss record and an ERA of 4.58.
In the 1991 postseason, the Angels traded Abbott and Rubén Amaro, Jr.
Rubén Amaro, Jr.
Rubén Amaro, Jr. is the general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.He is also a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played from to . He is the son of former infielder Rubén Amaro, Sr....
to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Von Hayes
Von Hayes
Von Francis Hayes , was a Major League Baseball player from 1981 to 1992 for the Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, and California Angels...
.
Abbott spent the first seven games of the 1992 season with the Philadelphia Phillies, recording an 0–7 record before being demoted to the minor league Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees are a professional minor league baseball club located based in the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area. They currently play in the International League's Northern Division and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball club...
. After posting an ERA of 1.54 over 35.0 innings pitched, Abbott was promoted to the Major Leagues, finishing the MLB season with a 1–14 record while allowing eighty runs over 133.1 innings pitched. Abbott finished the season tied for third in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
for most losses, while tying for eighth in most wild pitch
Wild pitch
In baseball, a wild pitch is charged against a pitcher when his pitch is too high, too short, or too wide of home plate for the catcher to control with ordinary effort, thereby allowing a baserunner, perhaps even the batter-runner on strike three or ball four, to advance.A wild pitch usually...
es thrown.
Abbott pitched the 1993 season for the Red Barons, leading his team in wins, innings pitched, and hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
allowed. Later that year, on November 24, 1993, Abbott was released by the Philadelphia Phillies before playing for the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes of the Japan Pacific League in 1994. Abbott helped the Buffaloes to a 68–59 record while the Buffaloes finished fourth in their division.
On December 6, 1994, Abbott signed a contract valued at $150,000 with the Phillies. Abbott spent the entire 1995 season in the Major Leagues, recording a 3.81 ERA while allowing sixteen walks with twenty-one strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s. Abbott was granted free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
on October 16, 1995.
In his last major league season, Abbott played for the Angels, signing with the team on May 29, 1996. Abbot began the year with the Midland Angels, but was promoted to the California Angels when Mark Langston
Mark Langston
Mark Edward Langston is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched for the Seattle Mariners , Montreal Expos , California and Anaheim Angels , San Diego Padres , and Cleveland Indians...
was placed on the fifteen-day disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
. Abbot finished the major league year with a 20.25 ERA in 4.0 innings pitched.