CORY ABBOTT NAMED SOUTHERN LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE WEEK

SEVIERVILLE - The Southern League of Professional Baseball Clubs has announced that Tennessee Smokies RHP Cory Abbott is the Pitcher of the Week during the week of August 19-25. 
Abbott, 23, earns Pitcher of the Week honors following a pair of quality starts for the Tennessee Smokies. On Tuesday, August 20, Abbott struck out three and held the Jackson Generals scoreless in 3.0 IP before the game was suspended due to inclement weather. Abbott followed up the outing on Sunday, August 25 against the Birmingham Barons by tossing seven scoreless innings, picking up the victory while striking out six and allowing just three hits. 
Through twenty-five total starts, the Loyola Marymount product has now struck out 156 batters during the 2019 season. This marks the first time a Smokies pitcher has reached 150 strikeouts since 1997, when Chris Carpenter punched out 150. Abbott currently leads the Southern League in strikeouts with his impressive total. The Chicago Cubs selected Abbott in the 2nd round of the 2017 MLB Amateur Draft, and he is currently ranked by MLB Pipeline as their no. 16 overall prospect.
ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America's national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com