24 CAVALIER CORNER
UNDER
PRESSURE
Second-Year Andrew Abbott
Is Up To The Challenge
Of Being UVA's Bullpen Stopper
BY GREG WATERS
A
NDREW ABBOTT CAME TO Virginia in 2017,
somewhat under the radar. Despite being selected in
the 36th round of the MLB Draft by the New York
Yankees and being named the Virginia High School
Player of the Year, only a few ACC schools recruited him.
Not being well known didn't bother Abbott because Virginia
was his first choice.
"First, UVA was in state," he said. "Growing up in Virginia,
Virginia was primed at the time. When I committed, they had just
won the national title, so that helped. It's a little less than two
hours from Halifax, so my parents can come up when they want.
"Then, the culture here, the game atmosphere here was what
I wanted. Plus, my traveling coach was Billy Wagner. He may
have had a little sway. All in all, it came together, and I made a
decision to come to UVA."
