Guardians Baseball Insider

Image: Courtesy Coastal Carolina Athletics

The Cleveland Indians selected Alaska Abney Right-handed Pitcher with the 15th round pick (456th overall) in the 2021 MLB Draft.

Alaska Abney – Right-handed Pitcher

School: Coastal Carolina
Age: 21.2
Height: 6’1; Weight: 205
Throws: Right

WIllie Hood’s Analysis:

The Georgia native went undrafted out of high school, going on to attend Coastal Carolina. Abney is the former high school teammate of Davis Sharpe, Cleveland’s 13th round selection. As a freshman, he made 29 appearances recording three saves, 39 strikeouts (9.57 K9), and 23 walks (5.65 BB9). In his Covid shortened sophomore season, he made seven appearances across 19.1 innings, recording 22 strikeouts (10.24 K9) to four walks (1.86 BB9), allowing 5.59 H9. Improving year-over-year, he returned his junior season to make 22 appearances with three starts punching out 68 (12.58 K9) in 48.2 innings with 14 walks (2.59 BB9).

A young for the draft class college junior, Abney is a unique submariner. The right-hander runs his fastball up to 92 from the low slot but typically sits in the upper 80’s. He pairs his fastball with a slider with horizontal and potential for above-average outcomes. Abney has toned down his mechanics since high school and displays above-average control of his pitches. He developed into an intriginng low arm slot option out of the bullpen for the Chanticleers over his three-year collegiate career. The right-hander is expected to sign in the coming days.