Albert Abreu Stats & Scouting Report

IP	6.2
ERA	5.4
WHIP	1.2
BB/9	4.05
SO/9	2.7

Full name Albert Enmanuel Abreu
Born 09/26/1995 in Guayubin, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut 08/08/2020

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

TRACK RECORD: Acquired by New York in 2016 for Brian McCann, Abreu has spent his tenure with the Yankees teasing at his potential and frustrating coaches with his inconsistency. While the majority of his work in the minor leagues was as a starter, Abreu's two big league appearances in 2020 were as a reliever, which is likely where his future lies.

SCOUTING REPORT: There is no doubting Abreu's stuff. His fastball has long been in the mid 90s and his curveball, slider and changeup each has its moments as well. Evaluators see two main issues with Abreu: consistency and approach. His short-stride delivery leads to timing issues with his arm stroke, which produces scattershot control and command. He also has problems throwing his offspeed pitches for earlycount strikes, opting instead to try to use putaway pitches which hitters aren't inclined to chase. Of the 21 offspeed pitches he threw in the big leagues, just three were swung at and missed.

THE FUTURE: Until he figures out how to use his stuff to the best of its ability, Abreu is likely a reliever. He should be in the mix for a spot in New York's pen again in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Abreu was dealt from the Astros to the Yankees after the 2016 season as part of the package for catcher Brian McCann. He has teased evaluators with his blend of premium stuff that has been mitigated by injuries (an appendectomy and elbow inflammation in 2018) and inconsistency. He was added to the 40-man roster after the 2018 season, then put together a solid year at Double-A Trenton save for three weeks with right biceps inflammation.

SCOUTING REPORT: Abreu has an extra-large frame and a high-octane fastball that can reach the upper 90s with ease. He backs the pitch with a changeup and curveball, the former of which is his best offspeed weapon. The changeup, thrown in the 85-88 mph range shows excellent fading action away from lefties and is an effective option against same-side hitters as well. His curveball, a downer pitch in the mid-80s, flashes plus but not often enough to confidently project it will get there consistently. He doesn't get on top of the pitch often enough, which reduces the consistency of its break. Abreu's command is hampered by a short-stride delivery and inconsistency at foot strike that keeps his arm from producing his highest quality pitches.

THE FUTURE: After returning from the injured list on Aug. 13, Abreu made three starts of three or fewer innings before moving to the bullpen for the remainder of the season, including Trenton's run to the Eastern League championship. There's always been considerable reliever risk with Abreu, who is likely to return to the rotation in 2020 at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Track Record: Abreu was part of package the Yankees received from the Astros for Brian McCann after the 2016 season. The other player, Jorge Guzman, was dealt to the Marlins in the deal that made Giancarlo Stanton a Yankee. Abreu opened eyes in his first season in the organization, but he dealt with injuries and ineffectiveness in 2018. It all began with an appendectomy toward the end of spring training and elbow inflammation at midseason.

Scouting Report: In terms of stuff, Abreu still shows the big, upper-90s fastball that the Yankees sought when they acquired him from Houston. The pitch has late life and is particularly effective when thrown up in the zone. He backs up his fastball with a power curveball in the mid-80s and a changeup that each project as at least above-average, if not plus, offerings. He also throws a slider, but he leans heavily on his three main pitches. While Abreu’s pure stuff is tantalizing, his command is fringy at best. He struggles to repeat his delivery at times, and will get strikeout-happy and try to overthrow. The Yankees also would like to see him pitch inside more effectively to both righthanders and lefthanders.

The Future: Abreu was limited to just 73 innings, making 2018 a bit of a lost year. He still has huge upside and will likely return to high Class A Tampa.
When the Astros signed Abreu in 2013, they knew he had the potential for big-time stuff. They were proved right when he started hitting the mid-90s with his fastball when he got to low Class A. Houston dealt both Abreu and righthander Jorge Guzman to the Yankees for Brian McCann in December 2016 in a deal that worked out for both sides. Abreu dealt with right elbow inflammation at times in 2017, which he spent mostly at high Class A Tampa, but never had surgery. With another year under his belt, Abreu's fastball has ticked up even more. He now sits in the mid-90s with regularity and touches as high as 101 mph on occasion. He couples his fastball, which has average life, with a curveball and changeup that project to be at least average if not plus in the future. He still needs to refine his command, and some evaluators have seen more of a thrower than a pitcher at this point, but scouts inside and outside the organization see a pitcher with the upside of a No. 2 starter if everything develops. Abreu could be ready for Double-A to begin 2018, though a return to high Class A to begin the season is a likely option as well.
The Astros signed Abreu for $185,000, and a mere two years later he had added 5 mph to his fastball, giving him a mid-90s heater that has touched 99 mph as well as a useful assortment of secondary pitches. Houston traded him to the Yankees as part of the Brian McCann deal after the 2016 season. Abreu's pure stuff allows him to succeed so far with an approach that can best be described as, "Here it is--try to hit it." He doesn't really set up hitters and finish them off as much as he overwhelms them. Abreu's plus fastball blew away hitters in the low Class A Midwest League in 2016, especially when he located it to his arm side with excellent run. His average curveball is a slower, bigger breaker that is generally best as an early-count offering, but he will flash a harder curve that flashes plus in late-count situations. His slider is even more inconsistent, but it flashes above-average potential when he stays through his delivery. His changeup will show fade and deception at times. Abreu's delivery is quite simple, but he doesn't repeat it consistently yet from either the stretch or windup, and there is some recoil in his finish. His control is below-average at this point. Abreu's four-pitch assortment screams starter, but his approach and his control lead many to think he'll end up as a high-leverage reliever.
When the Astros signed Abreu for $185,000 in 2013, he was an intriguing, athletic pitcher with a clean delivery and an 87-91 mph fastball. Two years later Abreu can touch 99 mph and has turned into yet another Astros starter who has front-line potential, although in Abreu's case, he's a long way from reaching it. Not only does Abreu have a 93-96 mph fastball but he also has quickly developed an above-average changeup. It doesn't have much tumble, but the high-80s offering generates deception from good arm speed and a little late fade. Abreu also breaks off an average slider on a regular basis although it's less consistent than the changeup. He's experimented with a slower curve too. Abreu's control is below-average and he needs to do a better job of repeating his delivery and maintaining his stuff deep into games, but he has present stuff and future frontline starter potential.

Minor League Top Prospects

Abreu was a workhorse this season, making more starts (20) and pitching more innings (96.2) than he has ever done at any one affiliate during his career. The righthander was particularly sharp at home, pitching to a 2.61 ERA across 41.1 innings in front of the Trenton crowd. Abreu works with a four-pitch mix, including a fastball that tops out in the upper 90s. He is able to maintain velocity later on in outings. He can throw his above-average changeup for strikes, but his power curveball has a higher ceiling than his changeup despite being more erratic and less effective in the moment. Abreu has also reintroduced a slider, but that lags behind his other three offerings. Abrue has all the ingredients to be a back-end starter, but his poor control could soon push him to the bullpen permanently.
The Astros signed Abreu for $185,000 in August 2013, and he rose in the organization's standing after showing big velocity and improved secondary stuff at Rookie-level Greeneville in 2015. He recorded a 5.45 ERA in April and May this season, but one evaluator said that battling adversity would benefit Abreu, who received a late-August promotion to high Class A Lancaster. Abreu's fastball sits 92-95 mph and touches 99, while his changeup is at least average. Abreu shows good feel for his slider and curveball, and he enjoys pitching backwards, but he needs to sequence them better in order for them to become chase pitches. The key for Abreu will be the consistency of his delivery and his command. He'll need to be able to repeat his delivery out of the windup and stretch in order to have enduring success.
Abreu signed with the Astros for $185,000 as a 17-year-old in August 2013. He had size, a projectable frame and was already pitching at 87-91 mph with his fastball. Now, Abreu is a different pitcher. Armed with a fastball that sits comfortably at 93-96 mph, Abreu bumped 99 at times this summer. He supplements his fastball with two breaking balls--a curveball and a slider--and a promising changeup, which flashes plus, according to one scout. There is power to his curveball, and he has recently adopted his slider. Abreu is the epitome of a pop-over-polish prospect, with consistency and stamina separating him from elite prospect status. Still, he had enough ability to jump over the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and his delivery is fairly clean.

Top 100 Rankings

Scouting Reports

TRACK RECORD: Acquired by New York in 2016 for Brian McCann, Abreu has spent his tenure with the Yankees teasing at his potential and frustrating coaches with his inconsistency. While the majority of his work in the minor leagues was as a starter, Abreu's two big league appearances in 2020 were as a reliever, which is likely where his future lies.

SCOUTING REPORT: There is no doubting Abreu's stuff. His fastball has long been in the mid 90s and his curveball, slider and changeup each has its moments as well. Evaluators see two main issues with Abreu: consistency and approach. His short-stride delivery leads to timing issues with his arm stroke, which produces scattershot control and command. He also has problems throwing his offspeed pitches for earlycount strikes, opting instead to try to use putaway pitches which hitters aren't inclined to chase. Of the 21 offspeed pitches he threw in the big leagues, just three were swung at and missed.

THE FUTURE: Until he figures out how to use his stuff to the best of its ability, Abreu is likely a reliever. He should be in the mix for a spot in New York's pen again in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Acquired by New York in 2016 for Brian McCann, Abreu has spent his tenure with the Yankees teasing at his potential and frustrating coaches with his inconsistency. While the majority of his work in the minor leagues was as a starter, Abreu's two big league appearances in 2020 were as a reliever, which is likely where his future lies.

SCOUTING REPORT: There is no doubting Abreu's stuff. His fastball has long been in the mid 90s and his curveball, slider and changeup each has its moments as well. Evaluators see two main issues with Abreu: consistency and approach. His short-stride delivery leads to timing issues with his arm stroke, which produces scattershot control and command. He also has problems throwing his offspeed pitches for earlycount strikes, opting instead to try to use putaway pitches which hitters aren't inclined to chase. Of the 21 offspeed pitches he threw in the big leagues, just three were swung at and missed.

THE FUTURE: Until he figures out how to use his stuff to the best of its ability, Abreu is likely a reliever. He should be in the mix for a spot in New York's pen again in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Acquired by New York in 2016 for Brian McCann, Abreu has spent his tenure with the Yankees teasing at his potential and frustrating coaches with his inconsistency. While the majority of his work in the minor leagues was as a starter, Abreu's two big league appearances in 2020 were as a reliever, which is likely where his future lies.

SCOUTING REPORT: There is no doubting Abreu's stuff. His fastball has long been in the mid 90s and his curveball, slider and changeup each has its moments as well. Evaluators see two main issues with Abreu: consistency and approach. His short-stride delivery leads to timing issues with his arm stroke, which produces scattershot control and command. He also has problems throwing his offspeed pitches for earlycount strikes, opting instead to try to use putaway pitches which hitters aren't inclined to chase. Of the 21 offspeed pitches he threw in the big leagues, just three were swung at and missed.

THE FUTURE: Until he figures out how to use his stuff to the best of its ability, Abreu is likely a reliever. He should be in the mix for a spot in New York's pen again in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Abreu was dealt from the Astros to the Yankees after the 2016 season as part of the package for catcher Brian McCann. He has teased evaluators with his blend of premium stuff that has been mitigated by injuries (an appendectomy and elbow inflammation in 2018) and inconsistency. He was added to the 40-man roster after the 2018 season, then put together a solid year at Double-A Trenton save for three weeks with right biceps inflammation.

SCOUTING REPORT: Abreu has an extra-large frame and a high-octane fastball that can reach the upper 90s with ease. He backs the pitch with a changeup and curveball, the former of which is his best offspeed weapon. The changeup, thrown in the 85-88 mph range shows excellent fading action away from lefties and is an effective option against same-side hitters as well. His curveball, a downer pitch in the mid-80s, flashes plus but not often enough to confidently project it will get there consistently. He doesn’t get on top of the pitch often enough, which reduces the consistency of its break. Abreu’s command is hampered by a short-stride delivery and inconsistency at foot strike that keeps his arm from producing his highest quality pitches.

THE FUTURE: After returning from the injured list on Aug. 13, Abreu made three starts of three or fewer innings before moving to the bullpen for the remainder of the season, including Trenton’s run to the Eastern League championship. There’s always been considerable reliever risk with Abreu, who is likely to return to the rotation in 2020 at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
TRACK RECORD: Abreu was dealt from the Astros to the Yankees after the 2016 season as part of the package for catcher Brian McCann. He has teased evaluators with his blend of premium stuff that has been mitigated by injuries (an appendectomy and elbow inflammation in 2018) and inconsistency. He was added to the 40-man roster after the 2018 season, then put together a solid year at Double-A Trenton save for three weeks with right biceps inflammation.

SCOUTING REPORT: Abreu has an extra-large frame and a high-octane fastball that can reach the upper 90s with ease. He backs the pitch with a changeup and curveball, the former of which is his best offspeed weapon. The changeup, thrown in the 85-88 mph range shows excellent fading action away from lefties and is an effective option against same-side hitters as well. His curveball, a downer pitch in the mid-80s, flashes plus but not often enough to confidently project it will get there consistently. He doesn't get on top of the pitch often enough, which reduces the consistency of its break. Abreu's command is hampered by a short-stride delivery and inconsistency at foot strike that keeps his arm from producing his highest quality pitches.

THE FUTURE: After returning from the injured list on Aug. 13, Abreu made three starts of three or fewer innings before moving to the bullpen for the remainder of the season, including Trenton's run to the Eastern League championship. There's always been considerable reliever risk with Abreu, who is likely to return to the rotation in 2020 at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Abreu was a workhorse this season, making more starts (20) and pitching more innings (96.2) than he has ever done at any one affiliate during his career. The righthander was particularly sharp at home, pitching to a 2.61 ERA across 41.1 innings in front of the Trenton crowd. Abreu works with a four-pitch mix, including a fastball that tops out in the upper 90s. He is able to maintain velocity later on in outings. He can throw his above-average changeup for strikes, but his power curveball has a higher ceiling than his changeup despite being more erratic and less effective in the moment. Abreu has also reintroduced a slider, but that lags behind his other three offerings. Abrue has all the ingredients to be a back-end starter, but his poor control could soon push him to the bullpen permanently.
When the Astros signed Abreu for $185,000 in 2013, he was an intriguing, athletic pitcher with a clean delivery and an 87-91 mph fastball. Two years later Abreu can touch 99 mph and has turned into yet another Astros starter who has front-line potential, although in Abreu's case, he's a long way from reaching it. Not only does Abreu have a 93-96 mph fastball but he also has quickly developed an above-average changeup. It doesn't have much tumble, but the high-80s offering generates deception from good arm speed and a little late fade. Abreu also breaks off an average slider on a regular basis although it's less consistent than the changeup. He's experimented with a slower curve too. Abreu's control is below-average and he needs to do a better job of repeating his delivery and maintaining his stuff deep into games, but he has present stuff and future frontline starter potential.