Ben Abner

Benjamin Matthew Abner

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.
• School Georgia Southern College
• High School Mechanicsburg Area High School
• Born May 14, 1963 in Mechanicsburg, PA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

The brother of Shawn Abner, outfielder Ben Abner was selected by the Montreal Expos in the fifth round of the 1984 amateur draft. He played in the Expos and Pittsburgh Pirates farm systems.

Abner played for Team USA in the 1983 Intercontinental Cup, helping the US win a Silver Medal. He was with the US for a Bronze in the 1983 Pan American Games. Abner had been an All-American pick by the ABCA and Baseball America in 1983 alongside Shane Mack; the ABCA placed him above Rafael Palmeiro, the third outfielder picked by Baseball America. In 1984, Abner debuted in high A ball with a disappointing .232/.263/.312 batting line for the West Palm Beach Expos. Abner hit only .190/~.237/.260 with 43 runs produced in 86 games for the West Palm Beach club in 1985.

Abner's best minor league season was in 1986, when he played for the Macon Pirates (.333/~.389/.490 in 64 games) and the Prince William Pirates (.275/~.321/.405 in 57 games). He concluded his career with the 1987 Harrisburg Senators (.213/~.238/.262 in 26 games) and Springfield Cardinals (.210/~.337/.333 in 34 games).