CJ Abrams
Born: Oct 3, 2000
Bats: L Throws: R
Ht.: 6'2" Wt.: 185
Drafted/Signed: HS--Roswell, Ga., 2019 (1st round).
Signed By: Tyler Stubblefield.
Minors: .314/.364/.507 | 7 HR | 10 SB | 140 AB
Track Record: Abrams long stood out as one of the best and most athletic players for his age in high school and made a big impression when he took over center field for USA Baseball’s 18U National Team and made the position look easy despite never playing it before. He followed with a sensational senior spring, and the Padres were thrilled when he fell to them at the sixth overall pick in 2019. They lured him away from an Alabama commitment with a $5.2 million signing bonus, and by the end of that first pro summer, Abrams had won the Rookie-level Arizona League’s MVP award after batting .401 and earned a promotion to Low-A Fort Wayne. That assignment, however, was halted after just two games due to a shoulder injury. Abrams spent 2020 at the Padres’ alternate training site and made his full-season debut at Double-A San Antonio in 2021, where he got off to a hot start before fracturing his left tibia and spraining his left MCL in a collision with second baseman Eguy Rosario in late June, ending his season. Abrams recovered in time to get back on the field in instructional league but bruised his left shoulder while sliding into a base, an injury that prevented him from participating in the Arizona Fall League.
Scouting Report: When he is on the field, Abrams stands out for all the right reasons. He 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, he 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. Abrams’ 80-grade speed allows him to regularly beat out infield singles and will make him an elite base-stealing threat once he learns pitchers’ tendencies. Defensively, 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.
The Future: For all his talent, Abrams has just 348 plate appearances in three seasons and needs at-bats. If he can stay healthy, he should become a dynamic table-setter in front of Tatis and Manny Machado in the Padres’ lineup.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 70. Power: 50. Run: 80. Fielding: 60. Arm: 55.
https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/1016/san-diego-padres/organizational/#103865
