Black MLB Players #18: SS C.J. Abrams, Washington Nationals
Drafted seventh overall in the 2019 MLB Draft, C.J. Abrams has the requisite tools to be one of the most electric shortstops in professional baseball.
Background + Path to Professional Baseball
CJ Abrams is a 23-year-old shortstop who plays for the Washington Nationals from Alpharetta, Georgia. He was introduced to the game by his parents, picking up a bat for the first time at 18 months old. He started playing youth baseball at four years old against six-year-olds, one of the many flashes of his elite talent on the diamond that started at a very young age. He was the starting shortstop for Blessed Trinity High School’s baseball team, where he had an illustrious career. He was the second-ranked high school player in his draft class, projected by pundits to be taken within the top ten picks of the 2019 MLB Draft.
He was drafted by the San Diego Padres with the sixth overall pick of the 2019 MLB Draft. After signing his professional contract with San Diego, he received a 5.2 million dollar signing bonus. Abrams made his professional debut in the Arizona Rookie League during the 2019 MiLB season, playing for the Padres AZL 1 affiliate. In 165 plate appearances across 34 games, he put up a .393/.436/.647 slash line with 14 stolen bases, 0.71 BB/K(10 BB/14 K), 12 doubles, and 8 triples. Abrams was dominant in his first stint in professional baseball, and this caused him to rocket up prospect ranking lists everywhere.
The middle infielder spent 2020 at the Padres alternate site since the 2020 MiLB season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization was ecstatic about Abrams’s growth in all facets of the game even though there was no Minor League season. They were pleased with the notable amount of muscle he added to his frame, which allowed him to drive the ball more frequently and accrue more extra-base hits. The shortstop from Georiga worked closely with the San Diego infielder coordinator and High-A affiliate manager to improve his defense, making strides defensively with the glove.
With the return of Minor League Baseball for 2021, the Padres brain trust aggressively moved Abrams to their Double-A affiliate, where he was the youngest player at the Double-A level. Unfortunately, his season was cut short due to a collision at second base where he fractured his left tibia and sprained his MCL. In 183 plate appearances scattered across 42 games, Abrams put up a .296/.363/.420 slash line, which grades out to a 114 wRC+. What he did as the youngest player in all of Double-A with only 34 games of prior experience in MiLB and almost all of it coming in rookie ball is extremely impressive, and a sign of future success.
Abrams started the 2022 season on the Padres 25-man roster, making the major league ball club directly out of Spring Training. After posting a .499 OPS across 49 appearances in April and struggling to begin May, he was sent down to San Diego’s Triple-A affiliate during the second week of May. He was recalled by the Padres at the end of June and stayed on San Diego’s 25-man roster until he was traded to the Washington Nationals along with five other players in the Juan Soto trade. Abrams finished the 2022 season with 90 games played in MLB and 38 games played in Triple-A. He went .310/.360/.480 during his stint in Triple-A and slashed .246/.280/.324 during his time in MLB.
Abrams played in 151 games during the 2023 MLB season, going .245/.300/.412 with 28 doubles, 16 home runs, and 47 stolen bases. His 47 stolen bases were the fourth most in MLB out of 133 qualified players. He is one of 14 shortstops 25 years old or younger to steal at least 40 bases during the 21st century.
Player Profile
CJ Abrams is 6'2'’, weighs 185 pounds, bats left-handed, and throws right-handed. He is built like your prototypical shortstop, slender and athletic frame with wiry strength that does not hinder mobility.
Hitting
He has a simple and fluid left-handed swing that combines an above-average ability to make contact with average power. Abrams has an approach that focuses on pulling the ball and going up the middle. He makes contact inside and outside of the strike zone at a rate that is better than a lot of his peers but negates these advantages with his aggressive, swing-heavy hitting style. His 53% swing rate ranked 42nd out of 328 qualified hitters with at least 250 plate appearances during the 2023 season. His strikeout rates will most likely hover in the mid-to-high teens for his career barring unforeseen changes in his approach and/or swing mechanics.
Abrams’ ability to put fly balls and line drives in play took a noticeable uptick in 2023. He increased his FB%, launch angle, HR/FB%, and decreased his GB% in comparison to the same numbers from 2022. With a 5% walk rate in the ninth percentile, he will have to accrue singles and/or extra-base hits at an extremely high rate to be above average offensively. He struggled mightily against four-seam fastballs and left-handed pitchers, the two biggest weaknesses to arise during the 2023 season for Abrams hitting-wise.
Fielding
Abrams is a below-average to slightly above-average defensive shortstop depending on preferences for the metrics being used. DRS and UZR have him as one of the best defenders at his position while OAA has him labeled as one of the worst. His range isn’t the most spectacular for someone with his speed and while his throwing arm is more than enough it isn’t top of the scale. He has solid hands but isn’t super creative turning or receiving when attempting to start or continue a double play.
There is a pretty good range of outcomes for where Abrams will wind up defensively, but none of them are bad because he will probably wind up at an up-the-middle position or bouncing between multiple. He has experience as a shortstop, second baseman, and centerfielder, along with the athleticism and arm to be a great defender at all three positions. There is a very possible chance Abrams could be a super-utility player similar to Chone Figgins, except with more power.
Baserunning
Abrams is already one of the best base stealers and overall base runners in professional baseball. Stealing 47 bases is a feat in itself but doing so while getting caught only four times is a true testament to his prowess. His Spring Speed is in the 81st percentile, making him well above average in comparison to the average player.
Conclusion
Drafted seventh overall in the 2019 MLB Draft, C.J. Abrams has all the necessary tools and skills to be a All-Star level shortstop. A centerpiece of the six-player package sent from San Diego to Washington in the Juan Soto trade, he is the rare high school infielder who provides a safe floor and tantalizing ceiling with his ability to make contact, speed, and his potential to hit for power from the left side.