A top pitching prospect in the Angels' farm system, Abbott was dealt to Philadelphia with Ruben Amaro, Jr. in a deal for Von Hayes after making his major-league debut with California in 1991. Handed the fifth starter's job by the woeful Phillies, Abbott lost 14 of his 15 decisions and languished in Triple-A the following season as the big-league club surged to the NL pennant. He played in Japan in 1994 but returned for brief stints with the Phillies and Angels to close out his career. (JGR)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»June 5, 1989:
The Orioles select Louisiana State University pitcher Ben McDonald (14–3) with the first pick in the annual amateur draft. He'll sign August 19 and debut September 6, missing by three days being the first in this draft to debut. The Jays John Olerud, picked on the 3rd round, will debut September 3, singling in his first at bat. The next three picks are high schoolers: the Braves take Tyler Houston; the Mariners pick Roger Salkeld; and the Phillies choose Jeff Jackson. The White Sox get Frank Thomas with the 7th pick, while the Angels take Kyle Abbott with the 10th, and Chad Curtis on the 45th round. The Dodgers use their 1st round pick on Jamie McAndrew, son of former Mets P Jim McAndrew. Mo Vaughn goes to Boston on the 23rd pick and Chuck Knoblauch to the Twins on the 25th (he had been picked on the 18th round by the Phils in 1986, but did not sign). On the 4th round, the Twins select and sign P Scott Erickson, who was drafted but not signed in the previous three drafts.
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