In 2019, Abrams' committed to the Univ. of Alabama before his senior year at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell, Georgia. C.J. is a good student.

In 2019, Abrams was the Georgia Gatorade High School Player of the Year.

June 2019: C.J. was the Padres' first round pick (#6 overall), out of Blessed Trinity Catholic High in Georgia. He was got chosen behind C Adley Rutschman (O's), Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals), Andrew Vaughn (White Sox), J.J. Bleday (Marlins) and Riley Greene (Tigers).

"The nicest thing we saw from CJ was the ability to play shortstop,” Padres GM A.J. Preller said. "We came into the year seeing him as a possible shortstop . . . and from a scouting staff we got through the draft and we feel he’s going to be able to play shortstop for us.

"Again, you take athletes, you take guys who have versatility, guys who can play other positions. You take a lot of guys who have the ability to play up the middle and they can slide over and move to other spots.”

Expectations for Abrams were high, of course. To say that he met expectations is an understatement. Abrams led the league in hitting with a .401 average and was named MVP, earning a late-season promotion to low Class A Fort Wayne before his season ended early with a shoulder bone bruise.

In 2020, the Baseball America Prospect Handbook rated C.J. as 3rd-best prospect in the Padres organization. He moved up to #2, behind only LHP MacKenzie Gore in the winter before 2021 spring training.

Abrams was the Padres #1 prospect in 2022.

2020 Season: Top position prospect: CJ Abrams, SS (Padres organization No. 2/MLB No. 21)

The combination of elite speed, athleticism and natural hitting ability that had made Abrams one of the nation’s top prep prospects was on full display during his pro debut, as he produced a .401/.442/.662 line over 32 games in the Rookie-level Arizona League before getting a late bump up to Class A Fort Wayne.

In lieu of a normal 2020 season, the 20-year-old shortstop spent the summer at the Padres’ alternate training site at the University of San Diego, where he progressed in all phases of his development in a uniquely hands-on and competitive environment.

“When I think about CJ’s growth over the last year,” said Padres farm director Sam Geaney, “I think of the stuff he was really able to hammer over these past several months. Thinking about the strides he’s made defensively, with his work with our Minor League infielder coordinator as well as with Mike McCoy, another one of our Minor League managers [with Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore] who was at our alternate site, and thinking about the polish he’s added to his game since he signed ... I think we saw all of that there.

“You also look at the physical development and strength, and it was quite stark to me the strides he made on both sides. What that strength did to his offensive game — he loves to hit — was allow him to drive the baseball a lot this summer.” (M Rosenbaum - Oct 16, 2020)

June 2021: Abrams was selected to represent the Padres in the All-Star Futures Game.

Feb 10, 2022: Padres most athletic prospect - CJ Abrams, SS (No. 1, MLB No. 6)

Of all the prospects MLB Pipeline ranked at the end of the 2021 season, only three received 80 run tool grades: Dasan Brown, Jordyn Adams and Abrams. The Padres shortstop is the only one of that group who is a Top 100 talent and the only one who plays shortstop. (Mayo, Callis, Dykstra - MLB.com - Feb 10, 2022)

March 10, 2022: CJ Abrams' 2021 season ended earlier than he'd hoped, and his wait to return to the field lasted longer than he'd hoped. But, make no mistake, Abrams is back. And the Padres ' No. 1 prospect doesn't appear to have missed a beat.

Abrams has been an early standout at Padres Minor League camp this spring -- which, considering his standing as one of the sport's best prospects, probably shouldn’t come as a surprise. Ranked No. 6 overall by MLB Pipeline, Abrams could be on the verge of a big league breakthrough this season.  The 21-year-old speedster missed the final three months of the 2021 season with a fractured left tibia and MCL sprain that he sustained in a collision on the basepaths at Double-A San Antonio. He was supposed to return during the Arizona Fall League but dealt with some shoulder trouble. The Padres didn't see any benefit in pushing Abrams to return for a couple weeks of action, so they shut him down.

"Sitting out during the season was probably the hardest part," Abrams said. "I want to play . . . bad. But you can't. That was the hardest part. But it was all good, a good recovery."

Aug 15, 2022: As starting pitcher Josiah Gray warmed up on the mound to catcher Keibert Ruiz, C.J. Abrams ran onto the field at shortstop for his Nationals debut. It was a trio of young talent — all were acquired at the last two Trade Deadlines — and a visualization of Washington’s future.

“This is what we talked about moving forward, right, is some of our youth, and now we’re getting to see some of that here,” manager Dave Martinez said prior to the Nats' 5-4 win over the Cubs at Nationals Park. “That definitely excites me a lot. Watching these guys all play together and grow together, it’s going to be a lot of fun. “It’s going to be a lot of work, but it’s going to be fun.”

Two weeks after the Nats acquired Abrams in the blockbuster trade with the Padres, they called up the 21-year-old from Triple-A when Luis García landed on the 10-day injured list with a left groin strain. Abrams already made his Major League debut on April 8 and played 46 games for San Diego in place of an injured Fernando Tatis Jr., but the Nationals wanted him to get acclimated to the club first.

“It’s a new team, it’s a new start, it’s a great opportunity, and I’m excited to get going,” Abrams said.

The long-term plan is for Abrams to be the everyday starting shortstop, with 22-year-old García shifting over to second base (where he played the past two seasons in the bigs) when he returns. Veteran starter César Hernández would then transition to a backup role, having experience at multiple infield positions. To begin building that early middle-infield chemistry, Abrams’ and García’s lockers are next to each other in the Nationals’ clubhouse.

“They’re two of our youngest players, so we definitely want them to be together as much as possible and get to know each other,” Martinez said, adding, “I think these two guys could really help us in the future. With that being said, time will tell, right? Both of those guys have got the ability to be really good and All-Stars one day. But only time will tell.”   

Abrams arrived in Washington with a resume stacked with big league potential. Before becoming the sixth overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, he won a gold medal with the USA national team in the 2018 U18 Pan American Championship (where he was named to the All-Tournament Team) and was recognized as the 2019 Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year. Following two seasons in the Minor Leagues, the shortstop entered 2022 ranked as San Diego’s top prospect and No. 9 overall by MLB Pipeline.

“I try to learn in everything I do,” Abrams said. “Every day, I’ve got to get better. Everybody’s good at this level, so you’ve got to strive to be the best.”

Abrams hit .232 with two home runs for the Padres. He went 0-for-4 batting in the seventh spot. Martinez plans to move him higher up in the order once he appears in more games. Nelson Cruz, who hit the go-ahead home run in the eighth inning, observed Abrams’ swing “has some pop.”

In the field, Abrams was immersed in the action from start to finish, literally. He recorded the first and final outs of the game, impressed Martinez with his angles and range, committed a throwing error (“I probably should have set my feet,” he noted) and showed early signs of what he could add to the defense.

“It’s really about keeping the pitch count down,” Martinez said. “If he can make the routine plays, catch balls like that, get us out of big innings, it’s definitely going to help our pitchers out a lot.” (J Camerato - MLB.com - Aug 16, 2022)

Oct 3, 2022:  CJ celebrated his 22nd birthday preparing to compete against the Mets at Citi Field as the Nationals' starting shortstop.

“It’s been kind of crazy,” Abrams, speaking on his birthday, said of the past year. “I’ve been all over the place. But I’m enjoying it, having fun playing baseball, living the dream, really.”

Abrams is the youngest member of the Nats’ starting lineup, born 4 1/2 months after second baseman Luis García. He also is the ninth-youngest player in the Majors.

Abrams, who debuted on April 8, already has 90 games of experience. He is viewed as a key piece of the Nationals’ future since being acquired from the Padres at the Trade Deadline.  

Abrams ranks fourth in batting average (.314) and third in strikeout rate (8.5 percent) among National League players since Sept. 3. “He's got those good baseball instincts,” manager Dave Martinez said. “He's learned a lot and shown how mature he is to absorb information and use it. He's just scratching the surface right now. We really believe this kid has a bright future with this organization, and hopefully he continues to grow.” 

There are many ways in which Abrams plays beyond his years. He considers his footwork and glovework on defense the biggest strides he has made since Spring Training. Since Abrams debuted with the Nationals on Aug. 15, they rank seventh with a .225 opponents’ batting average on ground balls, compared to 29th from Opening Day to Aug. 14.

2022 Season: He made his debut hitting .246/.280/.324 over 90 games between San Diego and Washington. Plate discipline is the big problem right now (50 strikeouts, 5 walks).

June 5, 2023: When Nationals infielders Dominic Smith and CJ Abrams came by the MLB studios recently, we knew we were in for a treat. These teammates and road trip travel partners aren't just key members of the Nationals ballclub, but they are each stylish, thoughtful and funny dudes. Oh yeah, they're also extremely competitive with each other, as evidenced by how seriously they took a battle over pouring water into a cup.

We got a few minutes to chat with the duo about all the things they're doing and thinking about away from the field:

MLB: What do you keep on your bedside table?

Dominic Smith: For sure my phone. I have some mouth tape over there too. And shoot, that's pretty much it. My phone and my mouth tape.

MLB: Oh, is that the stuff to keep you from mouth breathing all night?

Smith: I love it. Yeah, if I don't sleep with it, my girlfriend is definitely punching on me, telling me to stop snoring. It's something that helps me breathe through my nasal passage and helps me recover throughout the night. But it's kind of weird when people see me with mouth tape on.

MLB: CJ, what do you keep on your nightstand?

CJ Abrams: Have my phone, charger. Maybe some cash, and then my chain. And then probably a book. Right now, it's "48 Laws of Power." It's just about ways to like communicate to people. Body language and stuff like that.

MLB: What song do you have on repeat right now? What can't you stop listening to?

Abrams: I'll go ... "Freestyle" — Lil Baby. 

Smith: I probably will go with something that CJ put me on to. It's a rapper named Big X Tha Plug. Low key anything new that he has, I turn on. It's some good music right there.

MLB: When it's time to clean out the closet, what's going? What do you have way too many of?

Smith: I have too much of everything. I'm a hoarder, so I don't get rid of anything. I have stuff from my childhood still. I need to do some cleaning for sure. 

Abrams: I'll say jackets.

MLB: You've got a long cross-country flight or you're stuck on the plane in a delay. What are you doing? 

Smith: Sleeping. It kind of pisses CJ off because every flight, I hop on the plane and I just go right to sleep. I feel like the rest is important. You can't be 100% if you tired.

MLB: Do you bring the mouth tape out for the flight too? 

Smith: I haven't yet. Next flight, I'll bring it. There will probably be some pictures swirling around after that.

MLB: CJ, what do you do on the plane? 

Abrams: Play cards.

MLB: Is it like poker or ... ?

Abrams: You flip two cards and you bet if you flip another one, if it's gonna be in between. So it's basically In-Between.

MLB: Oh, that's cool. 

Smith: It's not cool. When you lose the money, you lose it fast. 

MLB: What's your favorite city to play in as a visitor? 

Abrams: Probably go San Diego because of the weather. 

Smith: I'll go Chicago. I love Chicago; it's a great city. Great ballpark, fans come out, they get rowdy. And then just the history that whole stadium has. It's just a great place to play. And then, like I said, the city is fun. It's got great restaurants, great shopping. Everything you want to do.

MLB: What's your favorite place to go to where you grew up? Like, where are you taking friends when they're in town to visit?

Smith: I like Mexican food. I'm from Cali, so Mexico is right there. It's this place called Veracruz. They have the best fajitas that you'll ever have. I'm telling you: Shrimp, steak fajitas and just overall their Mexican food is gonna be some of the best, authentic. It's legit. 

Abrams: Yeah, in Atlanta? I like wings. I know American Deli is probably everywhere, but that's my favorite spot for sure.

MLB: Between the two of you, who has more style?

Smith: CJ. He's gonna run off with the style for sure. So, I'm gonna teach him a couple of things, but he'll be alright. 

Abrams: I learned from the big boy.

MLB: Most likely to get in trouble with the manager?

Smith: It probably will be me, only because I'm just always doing something crazy. But you know, we try to stay out of his office.  (M Clair - MLB.com - June 5, 2023)

2023 Season: His season came to a close, and as it turned out, his age-22 was very special. There were only two players who ever hit at least 18 home runs and stole at least 47 bases by age 22 before this year — and they were Cesar Cedeno and Mike Trout. Abrams and Corbin Carroll both joined them this season as the only four members of the 18/47 Club.

On October 1, CJ stole his second base of the game for his 47th of the season, setting a Nationals record.

Abrams had a hit 92 times last season in 150 games played (61.3%), including 39 multi-hit games (26.0%).He homered in 11.3% of his games last season (150 contests), going deep in 2.9% of his chances at the plate.

Abrams scored a run 65 times last season in 150 games played (43.3%), including 16 multi-run scoring contests (10.7%). In 41 of 150 games last year (27.3%), he picked up an RBI, and 16 of those games (10.7%) included two or more RBI. He also was responsible for three or more of his team’s runs in six contests. Abrams struck out at least once in 60.0% of his games last year (90 of 150), with two or more punchouts in 23 of them (15.3%).

April 30, 2024: “CJ Abrams is the first player in MLB history with 7+ home runs, 6+ steals, and 4+ triples in 25 games to start a season,” Baseball Reference tweeted.

SPECIAL BOND WITH DAD

It is a gorgeous late afternoon at Truist Park, and life is good for Chris Abrams. He stands in front of the Nationals dugout during batting practice, catching up with manager Dave Martinez and other well-wishers as the Nationals prepare to take on the Braves. He wears his Nationals cap and T-shirt, shorts and sunglasses, and his distinctive, easy laugh can be heard.

When CJ Abrams, the Nationals starting shortstop, steps into the cage to take his swings, however, Chris quietly moves to the side to get a better view. His face has a concentrated look, head tilted slightly forward. He watches intently as CJ takes his turn, seemingly making some mental notes. He’s locked in on each cut.

Chris has seen thousands upon thousands of his son’s swings before, from age four right up to now at age 23, where CJ is in his first full season hitting leadoff for the Nationals. But apparently there is always more to take away.

“He’s still coaching me,” CJ says. “I’m on the phone with him every day. He was the (main) coach on the team till I was 13.”

On this Father’s Day, Chris plans to be at Nationals Park like he was last year to watch his son play. The Atlanta resident has been to Cincinnati, Los Angeles and Boston so far this season, and although he made an early trip in June to D.C., he’s returning to see the Nats play the Marlins this weekend.

“I can play the Father’s Day card,” he laughs.  (Bill Trocchi - June 13, 2024)

Abrams and his wife Ruth settled in Roswell, GA, an Atlanta suburb. Chris had been a Division 2 and NAIA basketball player, but in his words, he figured out NBA players were freaks of nature who were at least 6-foot-8 or as quick as Allen Iverson.

“I thought, if I ever have a child, we’re going to start playing baseball,” he said. “You can be good at baseball and be 5-foot-2.”

As a seven-year-old, CJ (short for Chris Jr.) wasn’t quite 5-foot-2, but he could swing a bat. A YouTube video circulated that caught the left-handed hitter cranking a line-drive off the head of the pitcher in coach pitch. Fortunately for Chris, he wasn’t pitching that day.

“I was never accurate enough,” he smiles.

Baseball wasn’t CJ’s only sport, though. He excelled in basketball and football as well, and grew up in an area teeming with future pros. His backcourt mate in middle school AAU basketball was Ravens Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton. New England Patriots free agent linebacker Steele Chambers was also on that team, along with Chargers defensive lineman Chris Hinton and Falcons rookie linebacker J.T. Bertrand.

“It was a good squad,” CJ says.

Good enough to compete with Anthony Edwards’ squad, where according to Chris, Ant Man was only the third best player on that team.

“Growing up, it was just kind of normal,” CJ says. “Everybody was good at sports and we just competed against each other and it was just a lot of fun. It probably made me better, yes.”

And while CJ kept playing football through one year of high school at Blessed Trinity and basketball for three years, it was baseball that was the year-round sport of choice. He played some form almost every day, hopping into the car with his dad for the five-minute drive to Newtown Park to take some swings and field some grounders.

When hoops ended his freshman year, he worked out for the first time with the Blessed Trinity baseball team on a Saturday.

“He was in the lineup hitting third on Monday,” says BT coach Jamie Wagner. “We played Byron Buxton (2012 No. 2 overall draft pick) in the playoffs a few years before, and we were like, at least speed-wise, this guy is Byron Buxton.”

CJ played year-round baseball, but he was more interested in following the NBA rather than MLB. Chris says the family would go to cookouts and friends’ houses and people would ask CJ about baseball, and he would tell them he didn’t watch it. He liked Ken Griffey Jr. highlights, especially from the Home Run Derby days, but really, even up to and after being drafted No. 6 overall in the 2019 draft, C.J. just went out and played and didn’t worry about teams and opponents and the larger landscape of baseball.

“We had a pre-draft trip down to Miami, and Derek Jeter was the GM,” Chris laughs. “Now I’m pretty sure he knew the name ‘Derek Jeter’, but I wasn’t sure he could pick him out of a crowd, so I made sure ahead of time he knew which one was Jeter.”

Behind much of that success has been Chris, who Martinez said reminded him of his own father.

“They have a unique father-son dynamic, they really do,” Martinez says. “He reminds me of my dad. When I was struggling in Triple-A, I looked up and my dad was above the dugout and he says, ‘You and I, after the game, we’ll do some soft toss, and he got me straightened out.

“Chris is that guy. He just wants CJ to succeed, and I love that about him.”

In the basement of the Abrams house, there are piles of homemade hitting tools Chris put together over the years that Ruth is ready to get rid of. In the backyard, there is an inflatable batting cage to make it easier when CJ wants to get in a few swings during the offseason (“As long as it's not a permanent structure, the town of John’s Creek can’t tell me to take it down” Chris says).

CJ recognizes the partnership and baseball bond he’s formed with his father, so much so that he’s taken his father up to bat with him at times during his pro career. Literally. CJ has a photo of him with his dad when CJ was two, sitting together on a hammock at Chris’ sister’s house. Father and son are leaning back, and each have both hands behind their head. He had that photo inside a necklace he used to wear when he played, though the necklace has been damaged. He also has used bats with that photo of him and his dad imprinted on the knob in the minors and with the Nationals.

“I was really shocked,” Chris says. “It’s cool for him to show that level of appreciation for all the times me and him went out there and hit baseballs and for all the stupid gadgets I put together for him to try to help him get better at hitting a baseball.”

The daily phone calls have shown no signs of stopping. The tips on hitting, the talking baseball and the constant support are all in place as the 23-year-old rising star works toward fulfilling the promise so many have seen in him. Especially his father.

“Having him be able to watch me on Father’s Day, I love it. I love him being there,” CJ says. “He’s my guy. He’s the reason I'm here, for sure. Just thankful for him.” (Bill Trocchi - June 13, 2024)

July 7, 2024: Abrams was selected as a reserve to the MLB All-Star Game. The 23-year-old was the Nationals’ only All-Star named to the National League squad.

“It was exciting,” Abrams said. “I’m just grateful for everybody in this clubhouse, for my family, friends and the fans. I’m excited to go represent the Nationals in Arlington.”

Manager Dave Martinez held a meeting with the Nationals to announce the news. Abrams pumped his fists in excitement when his name was revealed.

“He was like a little kid,” Martinez said with a laugh. “He addressed the team, and it was very heartfelt. He thanked all of his teammates for allowing him to do the things that he can do. He said, ‘Without you guys, I can’t be me.’ So it was awesome.” (J Camerato - MLB.com - July 7, 2024)

July 10, 2024: Vargas took on a veteran leadership role playing alongside Abrams at second and third base as well as backing him up at shortstop.

“They’re very close,” Martinez said. “I think CJ looks at Ildemaro as a big brother, kind of more of a mentor, and Vargas really tries to help him every day.”

Abrams and Vargas both speak English and Spanish, enhancing their communication: “One of the benefits to knowing Spanish, for sure,” Abrams said. Their conversations flow from small talk in the clubhouse to in-depth conversations on the field and in the dugout.

“They talk a lot during games,” said Martinez. “Whenever something goes differently than [how] Vargas thinks it should go, they’ll have a conversation about it. But Vargas is pretty good about listening to CJ and letting him speak. I think CJ really likes that a lot.

“Instead of dictating everything to him, he wants to hear how CJ felt on a particular play. Vargas will give him, ‘This is what I saw, this is what I thought you could have done,’ and CJ really, really accepts it really well. Then they have their moments where they’re just fooling around like two little kids. It’s been fun to watch those two guys.” Vargas’ mantra “Today is today, tomorrow is tomorrow” is displayed on a sign next to his locker this season, but he has been emphasizing it for much longer. That outlook has helped Abrams stay focused in the early stages of his career.

“I agree,” Abrams said. “Being present is big in baseball. You can’t let yesterday affect today, and you can’t let today affect tomorrow.”

Vargas has seen that translate onto the field. Abrams batted .305 in April and .205 in May, and then his production skyrocketed in June, when he hit .373. Abrams’ 1.051 OPS since June 6 ranks second in the National League behind only Shohei Ohtani (1.140). (J Camerato - MLB.com - July 10, 2024)  

Sept 2024: Abrams’ season is effectively over after the Nationals optioned him to Triple-A Rochester.

Nationals manager Davey Martinez confirmed to reporters in Chicago that it wasn’t a performance issue, saying, “It’s an internal issue. I’m not going to give specifics.”

Martinez added: “I’m going to support CJ. He’s a big part of our Nats family, and he will be, but at this point for me, it’s the right thing to do.” When asked about a tweet referencing Abrams being at a Chicago casino until 8:00 a.m., Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo told The Athletic, “We’re all aware of the report but beyond that, it’s an internal issue that we will keep in the family.”

The roster move is a message to the 23-year-old Abrams, whose talent has never been a question since he was acquired from the Padres. Abrams will head to the team’s spring facility in West Palm Beach. (Ghiroli - Sep 21, 2024 - The Athletic)

When CJ Abrams arrives at the Citizens Bank Park clubhouse in Philly, they already know what the Washington Nationals shortstop wants: a chicken classic cheesesteak with extra cheese. That’s the pregame order. After every game here, Abrams will have a regular cheesesteak waiting for him.

“Some of these NL guys,” clubhouse attendant Jacob Stong said, “we’ve seen them walk through the door and we’re already on that grill.”

Wait. Two cheesesteaks every game here?

“I don’t know,” Abrams said. “The cheese is just melted perfectly. It’s good. It’s just good.” (Gelb - Jul 14, 2026 - The Athletic)

June 2019: The Padres chose Abrams in the first round (#6 overall), out of Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell, GA. He signed for $5.2 million, via scout Tyler Stubblefield.

August 2, 2022: In a big trade deadline deal, the Padres got OF Juan Soto and 1B Josh Bell.

The Nationals got: SS C.J. Abrams, LHP MacKenzie Gore, 1B Luke Voit, OF Robert Hassell III (Padres' No. 1 prospect/No. 21 overall), OF James Wood (Padres' No. 3/No. 88 overall), and RHP Jarlin Susana (Padres' No. 14).

CJ has a flat, fluid swing and elite hand-eye coordination—thanks in large part to the various contraptions his dad devised during his youth—that allow him to hit any type of pitch no matter where it’s located. He expanded the strike zone a bit much in his first stint at San Antonio, which is not all that surprising given that he was essentially jumping from rookie ball all the way to Double-A.

At his best, Abrams has a keen eye for the zone and takes borderline pitches like a seasoned veteran. Abrams’ frame is long and lean, but he’s no slap hitter. He makes loud contact off the barrel and can drive the ball out to all fields. It’s not out of the question for him to develop 20-home run power as he matures. (Jeff Sanders - Baseball America Prospect Handbook - Spring, 2022)

CJ is a pure hitter with average power. He has a chance to hit .300 in the majors, thanks to excellent hands and an adaptable swing that makes it hard to beat him with the same approach twice. There’s some pop in his bat as well, and his speed and aggressive, intelligent approach helps him to turn some singles into doubles. (Sept., 2021)

Abrams’ top-of-the-scale speed is a game-changing tool that makes him an impact player on both sides of the ball. The strength Abrams has added to his ultra-projectable frame since signing shows in his ability to drive the ball and do damage from the left side, and scouts now like his chances of developing at least average game power to go along with a plus bat.

Abrams’ speed and penchant for making hard contact give him both a high ceiling and floor as a hitter — the latter a product of his ability to steal hits on the infield and stretch singles into extra bases. (Spring 2021)

CJ as a rare blend of elite athleticism and a gifted feel for hitting. His flat, fluid swing consistently produces hard contact and allows him to drive the ball wherever it’s pitched. Abrams has the direct stroke and bat speed to hit any fastball and the hand-eye coordination to barrel secondary pitches even when he’s fooled or off-balance. He occasionally chases off the edges of the plate, but he rarely swings and misses in the strike zone. (Kyle Glaser - Baseball America Prospect Handbook - Spring, 2021)

CJ truly has game-changing speed, with 80-grade wheels that enable him to make an impact in all facets of the game. He's also a very impressive left-handed hitter, one who consistently finds the barrel with a short, fluid stroke that yields hard contact to all fields. More than a slap-and-dash hitter, Abrams already shows some pop and will develop even more as he adds strength to his wiry-athletic frame. Scouts project him for at least average game power at maturity, and there are some who think he'll surpass that projection. 

Abrams is an elite athlete with 80-grade speed and an advanced left-handed bat that could make him a plus hitter at maturity. The 19-year-old offered a glimpse of his offensive ceiling last summer 2019 during an eye-opening pro debut, producing a .401/.442/.662 line over 32 games in the rookie-level Arizona League to earn a late bump up to full-season Class A Fort Wayne.

C.J. shows gap power, even to the opposite field. And he has the best bat-to-ball skills in the 2019 high school draft class. 

He has tremendous feel for the barrel. And his hand-eye coordination makes him special.  He once went 113 consecutive at-bats without swinging and missing and possesses a preternatural ability to find the barrel. Abrams takes easy, rhythmic swings with a direct path to the ball. He has a simple approach and makes adjustments, altogether projecting as a potential .300 hitter. (Kyle Glaser - BA Prospect Handbook - Spring, 2020)

C.J. has an efficient load and trigger and a simple, clean lefthanded swing. He has excellent barrel control and loose hands that drive balls to both gaps for lots of extra bases, with Abrams' elite speed. He rarely ever strikes out, showing a tremendous feel for the barrel.

Abrams has shown a tendency to get overly aggressive in the box and chase pitches out of the zone.

C.J. has below-average raw power at the moment and scouts have questioned his power potential at times, but he has improved his strength enough to the point that it would be fair to project average power in the future as he continues to fill out. It also wouldn’t be shocking if Abrams eventually reaches above-average power because of his impressive hand-eye coordination and ability to consistently put the barrel on the ball.

It takes lefthanded hitters a little longer to develop, so the Padres will be patient with Abrams.

"He has extremely good hand-eye coordination, probably some of the best—if not the best—bat-to-ball skills in the entire draft,” Padres scouting director Mark Conner said. "His body has a lot of projection remaining to add strength.

"As he gets more physical, learns to attack the ball a little more in the zone, be a little more selective of the pitches he can drive, we definitely think there’s going to be more power down the road. Whether it’s doubles or triples or home runs, there’s going to be plenty of extra-base hits.”

A lefthanded hitter, C.J. regularly beats out bunts and grounders.

“He stayed flat and straight to the baseball; it was beautiful,” said manager Dave Martinez. “It’s stuff that we’ve been working on with him and talking to him about just staying in the middle of the field. Against a lefty, he stayed through that ball and hit it really well.”

Batting .222 on the year, Abrams had been working in the gym before and after games, hoping to improve his stride direction while waiting for his pitch to hit.

“He’s battling up there, and that’s a good sign,” Martinez said. “He’s putting some good swings, he’s hitting some balls hard and he comes through in a big moment for us. Every day, it seems like he’s getting a little bit better.” (J Camerato - MLB.com - April 28, 2023)

2024 Season: The Nats wanted CJ Abrams to take a step forward after his 2023 season. And he did. They wanted him to emerge as a star on this young roster. And he did. So, why does it feel like Abrams had kind of a disappointing season?

Let’s start off by noting Abrams was one of just a few major leaguers with a 20/20 season (20 home runs, 31 stolen bases, to be precise) this year. While his .747 OPS doesn’t look that remarkable, when adjusted to his ballpark and compared against the rest of the league, it comes out as about 10% better than average (110 OPS+). Abrams also led the 2024 Nationals in rWAR with 3.4. He was one of the team’s two representatives to the All-Star Game and the only one to appear in the game.

But 2024 also exposed some deep weaknesses in Abrams’ game. Those 31 bases he stole were out of 43 attempts, a success rate of just 72%. His strikeout rate ticked up over 21%, a career high.

He was one of baseball’s worst defensive everyday fielders, valued at -18 outs above average.

He was wildly inconsistent at the plate, see-sawing from a .992 OPS in March/April to a .519 OPS in May, to a 1.127 OPS in June to a .571 OPS across July and August.

Perhaps most damning, he finished the year in “timeout”, as the Nats sent him to West Palm Beach after he violated team rules by reportedly staying out all night at a casino before a game against the Cubs. Sources indicated this wasn’t Abrams’ first violation, suggesting that the team either overlooked or failed to properly discourage Abrams’ behavior.

How many times did Abrams stay out late and report for the next day’s game tired and distracted? How much did this affect his on-field performance? Could it have contributed to his poor defense, or his hitting droughts, or his baserunning gaffes?

Of all the players on the Nats’ roster right now, Abrams might be the biggest question mark going forward. GM Mike Rizzo has been emphatic that Abrams is still part of the Nats’ plans and that the team is committed to him at shortstop. But they have work to do with Abrams, and Abrams may have work to do on himself, to get him ready to bounce back in 2025.  

2025 Season: Overall, this was another up and down season for Abrams. He was very good in the first half before fading down the stretch. At this point, it is tough to tell if this is a player issue or an organizational issue. It is tough to watch MacKenzie Gore and Abrams start so well before going off the rails.

When you zoom out, Abrams offensive numbers were almost identical to last year. Last season, Abrams hit .246 with a .314 OBP, a .433 slugging percentage and a .747 OPS. This year he hit .257 with a .315 OBP, a .433 slugging percentage and a .748 OPS. Even his advanced numbers like xwOBA and wOBA were virtually identical.

However, his fWAR actually improved quite a bit, though his bWAR was mostly unchanged. Abrams fWAR went from 1.9 in 2024 to 3.1 in 2025. This improvement comes from slight defensive improvements and his base running returning to elite levels.

In early September, Abrams fWAR was actually at 3.3 before a tough month to end the season. To his credit, the numbers suggest Abrams improved a bit on defense, even if it still is not great. His OAA went from -18 to -9 and his fielding run value went from -14 to -7. Is Abrams a shortstop long term? His arm is still light for the position, his range is average at best, and he makes more errors than you would like. 

One thing I like about Abrams is that he always comes into seasons well prepared and improved. He comes in with a plan and executes it. That is why he always gets off to fast starts. However, as the season goes along, Abrams has a tough time finding the necessary adjustments to keep up his strong work.

Another reason why Abrams fWAR went up is that his baserunning returned to form. In 2023, Abrams was one of the best base runners in the sport. He had a base running run value of 8 and a BsR of 9.2, both among the best in the league. Abrams was also 47/51 stealing that season. In 2024, his base running regressed to merely above average levels. He stole 31 bases while being caught 12 times. His baserunning run value was also only 4.

However, he returned to form this season. Sure, he did not get back to the 40-steal level, but he swiped 31 bags while only being caught 3 times. Abrams posted a 7 baserunning run value and 7.4 BsR. His BsR was 7th in baseball.

To take the next step, Abrams needs to have a full season’s worth of good offense. For a second straight year, he really fell off in the second half. Before the All-Star break, Abrams hit .287 with an .836 OPS. In the second half, he really tailed off with a .217 average and .634 OPS.

The home run power was in line with last season. While he did not reach the 20 homer milestone, he did get to 19, only one off of last season. Abrams became a real doubles machine this year, with his 35 two baggers being a career high and 12th in all of baseball. Abrams speed also allows him to hit a good amount of triples. In 2023 and 2024, he hit six triples. This year that went down to five, which is still a healthy amount. He is no Daylen Lile, but three baggers are a part of Abrams’ game. 

You cannot complain too much about a 3 Wins season, but Abrams left me wanting more. Can he finally finish a season strong in 2026? I really hope he can because he is great to watch when he is on his game. (Sam Sallick - Sep 29, 2025 - Federal Baseball)

C.J. displays smooth footwork in the middle of the field. He has excellent range, 60 grade. He has a short arm action, quick hands and a fast exchange which allows his 55 grade arm to play up. 

A naturally gifted athlete, Abrams has made big strides defensively since signing. That top-of-the-scale speed gives him plenty of range, and his hands, coupled with his strong arm, give him the tools needed to make all the necessary plays. He has the skills to stick at shortstop and be an impact player long-term. (Spring 2022)

Abrams has plus range at shortstop. He doesn’t always show off his above-average arm, but he has a plus internal clock and tends to save his bullets for when they’re needed. He has gotten more reliable at making the routine plays and will make the occasional highlight-reel play. While it’s easy to compare Abrams to the last shortstop to rise quickly through the Padres’ system, the similarities are few. Where Fernando Tatis Jr. seems to play with his hair on fire, Abrams is a low-motor player whose actions often appear effortless.

Tatis’ presence means Abrams is likely destined for a position change. He has the athleticism and aptitude to make the transition to second base or center field when the time comes. (Jeff Sanders - BAPH - Spring, 2022)

Abrams’ biggest improvement in 2020 came on the defensive side thanks to his work with the coaching staff at San Diego’s alternate training site. His speed and quickness give him tremendous range in all directions, and he has the hands, actions and plus arm strength needed to make all the plays. And while a move to either second base or center field may happen, any such position change shouldn’t keep Abrams from reaching his potential. (Spring 2021)

Abrams has rapidly improved defensively at shortstop. He makes highlight-reel plays with his wide range and reliable hands, though his short, low-slot throwing stroke and average arm strength fit better at second base. Evaluators believe Abrams could excel in center field as well. (K. Glaser - BAPH - Spring, 2021)

Abrams' defensive outlook comes with a few more question marks, but only because he has the speed and tools to profile just about anywhere on the diamond. That speed gives him outstanding range as a shortstop, and he has the hands, actions and above-average arm strength needed to stick at the position. A move over to second base or even center field is a possibility if that doesn't work out. (Spring 2020)

He is a 60 grade fielder with a 55 arm — an above-average shortstop all the way.

Abrams is chock full of athleticism. He throws from a low arm slot. But has the athleticism and arm strength to make throws from multiple angles and from deep in the hole. He makes the field look small with his range at shortstop.

C.J. has a strong arm and a quick exchange with impressive body control. An elite athlete who can do a windmill dunk, he has the footwork, hands and athleticism to be a plus shortstop, with many scouts surmising he could be a plus defender at second base or in center field, too. (Spring, 2020)

C.J. is an outstanding runner, 6.29 in the 60, 4.19 on a turn on a triple, and sub-4.0's home to first with little obvious effort. He is a gliding easy runner.

Most scouts put at least a 70 grade on his speed, and many say 80.  

2019 Season: Abrams can change games with his top-of-the-scale speed, using it beat out base hits, steal bases and cover ground at shortstop. He swiped 15 bags in his 34-game pro debut and will wreak even more havoc once he improves his reads and technique.

Feb 7, 2020:  CJ Abrams, SS

The No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 Draft truly has game-changing speed, with 80-grade wheels that enable him to make an impact in all facets of the game. That speed gives Abrams outstanding range as a shortstop and could allow him to play just about anywhere on the diamond if he’s forced off the position.

More than just a speedster, Abrams garnered Rookie Arizona League MVP honors in his pro debut — batting .401 with 23 extra-base hits and 14 steals in 32 games — before a late-summer promotion to Class A Fort Wayne.

2021 Fastest Runner in Top Prospects - CJ Abrams, SS, Padres (80)

Abrams not only has the game-changing quickness to make an impact on both sides of the ball, but he's also a more well-rounded player than your typical speedster. He uses his wheels to get on base and create havoc there, hitting .393 with 15 steals in his 34-game pro debut in 2019, and he covers plenty of ground at shortstop. He also could develop 20-homer power and has a solid arm to go with his range, enabling him to play almost anywhere on the diamond.

Aug-end of 2019 season: CJ's season ended with a bone bruise in his left shoulder. He got it while sliding into a base.

July 5-end of 2021 season: Abrams will miss the rest of the season with a fractured left tibia (broken leg) and sprained MCL (knee ligament).

Oct 2021: CJ missed the entire Arizona Fall League due to another shoulder injury — a left shoulder bruise sustained while sliding into a base before instructional league.