Washington Nationals news & notes: CJ Abrams in the 2024 MLB All-Star Game

Notes and quotes from the 2024 MLB All-Star Game… CJ Abrams represents.

On the day he was named an All-Star for the first time, the Nationals noted in a press release, CJ Abrams led all NL shortstops, “… with a .506 slugging percentage … [and] ranked second in extra-base hits (40), OPS (.859), RBI[s] (46), and triples (5).”

“Advanced metrics,” they added, “… according to Baseball-Reference.com, placed him second in wins above replacement (3.5) and OPS+ (146), and he ranked second in wRC+ (138), according to FanGraphs.com.”

Abrams, 23, “… also ranked in the top 10 among all National League hitters in several categories, including triples (3rd, 5), extra-base hits (5th, 40), slugging percentage (7th, .506), OPS (7th, .859), doubles (T8th, 21), and runs scored (9th, 56).”

Abrams finished the pre-All Star Game portion of the season with a .268/.343/.489 line, 21 doubles, six triples, 15 home runs, 30 walks, 80 Ks, and 15 stolen bases (in 25 attempts).

“He’s one of the young guys that we’re trying to build this team around,” Davey Martinez said after Abrams was named to the NL roster.

“For him to have the half that he’s had says a lot about where we’re at as far as youth.

“We’re very happy for him, for his family. It means a lot to us that he gets to represent the Nationals.”

Abrams’ breakthrough in the majors, one reporter noted, is often tied to the Nats’ skipper’s decision to move his shortstop to the leadoff spot in the lineup a year to the day before he was named an All-Star for the first time.

How did Martinez know, or why did he think Abrams was ready for the responsibility?

“I really felt he could do it,” Martinez said, “and he stepped up to do it. I’m proud of him for taking ownership, for taking the leadoff spot, and doing the little things that [have] helped him get better. It’s all him.”

Abrams’ determination and desire to get better is what stands out for the club’s manager.

“He wants to help us win games, that’s the biggest thing,” Martinez explained, “… he wants to be one of the best, so he drives to be the best every day. So he’s young, he’s learning a lot about himself still, he’s matured a lot. We talked a lot about how his defense needs to keep improving, but also his plate discipline needs to continue to improve. I always talk to him about, ‘You don’t realize how good you really are, but when you do these little things, you’re one of the best young players in the game right now.’ But we got to keep on him, we got to stay on him till he really gets it.”

Being named an All-Star might help. It meant a lot to Abrams. “It was exciting,” Abrams said, as quoted on MLB.com.

“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, [TX].”

“CJ being picked is a great honor to him and to his family,” GM and President of Baseball ops Mike Rizzo told The Sports Junkies last week, “and to the development people in our system that have really kinda fine-tuned his approach at the plate, his hitting stroke.”

Rizzo, who acquired Abrams as one of five prospects in the Juan Soto and Josh Bell deal with the Padres in ‘22, said the shortstop has turned into exactly the player they’d hoped he’d be.

“He came as advertised with an unbelievable skill set,” Rizzo said, “but the type of guy he is, and the person he is, and worker he is, is really a testament to who he is.”

Abrams got into the game in the sixth, replacing former Nationals’ shortstop Trea Turner, and the first ball put in play went his way. He handled it for the first out of the inning.

WIth the NL trailing the American League 5-3 after seven innings, Abrams led off in the top of the eighth, against right-hander Kirby Yates of the Rangers, and K’d swinging on a nasty, 0-2 splitter.

ALSO THIS:

Kyle Finnegan ended his All-Star break vacation abruptly when he learned he’d been named a replacement on the NL roster. He didn’t get into the game, but he did get to experience a first trip to the Midsummer Classic. Congrats, Kyle.

[fights emotions wondering if Finnegan will be a National after the trade deadline].

[ed. note – “If anyone’s actually read this far — we’re taking two days off with the rest of the baseball world, to rest up, kind of, but mostly to finish Georgi Gospodinov’s Time Shelter. It really is good, and we totally understand what’s going on. See you on Friday.”]