Meet the Freshmen: Oren Abbott

DURHAM – As the Blue Devils prepare for the 2022 baseball season, head coach Chris Pollard and the Duke baseball program are excited to introduce the freshman class.

Over the coming weeks, GoDuke.com will release individual introductions of its 12-member freshman class.

As a utility player seeing action as a left-handed pitcher, first baseman, and outfielder, Oren Abbott is the first freshman to be introduced this fall.

"Oren Abbott is absolutely one of the premier two-way players in the country," Pollard said. "He has shown the ability to combine left-handed power at the plate with a 90 mph fastball on the mound. While the tools are really "loud", I believe Oren's intangibles will put him in a position to step in and make an immediate positive impact. He has shown me an advanced understanding of work ethic and process; two qualities that fit really well in our program."

Abbott makes his way to Durham from Short Hills, N.J., where he was a standout on the diamond and letterwinner at Millburn High School playing for head coach Brian Chapman. During his first two seasons, he garnered All-Conference and All-Essex County honors both seasons, but missed the entire 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 season due to injury.

In his most recent season in 2019, Abbott batted .439 with 25 hits, 24 runs, four doubles, four triples, two home runs and 16 RBI in 20 games. He also recorded a .754 slugging and .573 on-base percentage that season. On the hill, Abbot finished 1-0 in his three appearances, allowing four hits and three runs while striking out 11.

Outside of his high school playing days, Abbott was a 2020 Perfect Game National Showcase participant, a three-time NTIS participant and a USA Baseball National Open invitee. He also attended the USA Baseball team trials. Perfect Game ranks him as the 27th first baseman nationally and the 18th player overall in the state of New Jersey, while Prep Baseball Report has him listed as the No. 1 first baseman in the state.

Off the field, Abbott was the co-president of his Varsity Club. He was also a member of the Uppie Club at Millburn, which involves helping the underclassmen transition into high school and answer any questions they might have during that stage of their lives.

Get to Know Oren:
Favorite Actor: Bradley Cooper
Favorite Food: Chicken Parmesan
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite MLB Player: Clayton Kershaw
Favorite Baseball Video Game: The Show 21
Why'd you choose Duke: The world-class athletics with great facilities, the amazing coaching staff and, most importantly, the outstanding academics made Duke an easy choice.
Favorite Hobbies outside of Baseball: I love to read, cook and fish.
Who is your role model? My father, he inspired me to be a confident and regimented person with an unbreakable desire for success.

#GoDuke

Meet the Freshmen: Oren Abbott

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