Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 40 | Overall: 50
When Gary Sanchez made Brian McCann redundant in New York, the Yankees traded McCann to the Astros in November 2016 for Abreu and fellow right-handed pitching prospect Jorge Guzman (whom they later spun to the Marlins in a deal for Giancarlo Stanton). Signed for $185,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2013, Abreu has shown frontline-starter upside when healthy. A shoulder strain, appendectomy and elbow inflammation limited him to 126 innings in his first two seasons with his new organization, however.
All of Abreu's pitches grade out as plus or better when he commands them, beginning with a 94-98 mph fastball that tops out at 101 with sink and run. His power breaking ball can absolutely wipe out right-handers, combining curveball depth with slider velocity in the mid-80s. His fading changeup can shut down lefties, though it wasn't as effective in 2018 as it was in the past.
Abreu has a short-arm delivery that provides deception but sometimes hampers him from locating his pitches. He doesn't dominate as much as he should because he needs more consistency with his secondary pitches and better command of his entire arsenal. If he can't do that and heads to the bullpen, he could fill a high-leverage role. Transactions Team Date Transaction 10/20/2019 New York Yankees activated RHP Albert Abreu. 10/04/2019 New York Yankees reassigned RHP Albert Abreu to the minor leagues. 09/30/2019 New York Yankees recalled RHP Albert Abreu from Trenton Thunder. 08/13/2019 Trenton Thunder activated RHP Albert Abreu from the 7-day injured list. 07/24/2019 Trenton Thunder placed RHP Albert Abreu on the 7-day injured list. 03/10/2019 New York Yankees optioned RHP Albert Abreu to Trenton Thunder. 12/04/2018 Tigres del Licey placed RHP Albert Abreu on the reserve list. 10/23/2018 RHP Albert Abreu assigned to Tigres del Licey. 10/10/2018 New York Yankees recalled Albert Abreu from Trenton Thunder. 09/03/2018 RHP Albert Abreu assigned to Trenton Thunder from Tampa Tarpons. 08/11/2018 Tampa Tarpons activated RHP Albert Abreu from the 7-day disabled list. 08/01/2018 Tampa Tarpons sent RHP Albert Abreu on a rehab assignment to GCL Yankees West. 07/27/2018 Tampa Tarpons sent RHP Albert Abreu on a rehab assignment to GCL Yankees East. 06/30/2018 Tampa Tarpons placed RHP Albert Abreu on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to June 29, 2018. 04/29/2018 Tampa Tarpons activated RHP Albert Abreu from the 7-day disabled list. 04/05/2018 Tampa Tarpons placed RHP Albert Abreu on the 7-day disabled list. 03/09/2018 New York Yankees optioned RHP Albert Abreu to Tampa Tarpons. 11/20/2017 New York Yankees selected the contract of Albert Abreu from Tampa Yankees. 10/10/2017 RHP Albert Abreu assigned to Scottsdale Scorpions. 08/20/2017 Tampa Yankees activated RHP Albert Abreu from the 7-day disabled list. 08/10/2017 Tampa Yankees sent RHP Albert Abreu on a rehab assignment to GCL Yankees East. 06/07/2017 Tampa Yankees placed RHP Albert Abreu on the 7-day disabled list. 05/19/2017 Tampa Yankees activated RHP Albert Abreu from the 7-day disabled list. 05/02/2017 Tampa Yankees placed RHP Albert Abreu on the 7-day disabled list. 04/23/2017 RHP Albert Abreu assigned to Tampa Yankees from Charleston RiverDogs. 04/04/2017 RHP Albert Abreu assigned to Charleston RiverDogs from Tampa Yankees. 11/17/2016 New York Yankees traded C Brian McCann and cash to Houston Astros for RHP Albert Abreu and RHP Jorge Guzman. 11/17/2016 RHP Albert Abreu assigned to Tampa Yankees. 08/18/2016 Albert Abreu assigned to Lancaster JetHawks from Quad Cities River Bandits. 04/05/2016 RHP Albert Abreu assigned to Quad Cities River Bandits from Tri-City ValleyCats. 09/09/2015 RHP Albert Abreu assigned to Tri-City ValleyCats from Greeneville Astros. 05/28/2015 RHP Albert Abreu assigned to Greeneville Astros from DSL Astros Blue. 05/30/2014 RHP Albert Abreu assigned to DSL Astros Blue. 03/01/2014 Houston Astros signed free agent RHP Albert Abreu to a minor league contract.
