Abercrombie graduated from Columbus High School. He was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 23rd round of the 1999 Major League Baseball draft, but chose to attend Florida Gateway College in Florida during the 1999–2000 school year and signed on May 24, 2000. Abercrombie was later dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks at the trade deadline in 2004 and claimed off waivers by the Florida Marlins on April 6, 2005. After a strong spring training one year later in 2006, where he batted .358 with a .394 on-base percentage and a .627 slugging percentage, the Florida Marlins called him up to the big club.