CJ Abrams is off to a hot start, and has homered for three straight games. Hot starts are nothing new for Abrams. The last couple years he has come into seasons really locked in. This year is no different. Hopefully Abrams can show more consistency this year, and I am bullish on that.
It is still early, but CJ Abrams is really doing a good job hitting flyballs to the pullside. Right now, he has a 31.8% air pull rate. The last couple years, he has pulled the ball in the air around 22% of the time,
which is above average, but not exceptional. Blake Butera said the Nats are trying to “lean into” Abrams ability to pull balls in the air.
One thing Abrams does extraordinarily well is pulling outside pitches for damage. Usually hitters are told to take the ball where it is pitched. However, Abrams has always been really comfortable yanking those outside pitches to the pullside. It is not something that will work for everyone, but it is something in his bag.
However, as we mentioned at the top, it is tough to call Abrams a changed player right now. It is not like he did not get off to hot starts under Rizzo and Davey. He posted a .992 OPS in March and April in 2024 and an .865 mark in 2025. The big thing for Abrams will be keeping that up for a full season.
Luis Garcia Jr. actually said something after the game that I found interesting. He said that Abrams is at his best when he is “concentrated”. Garcia added that when Abrams is locked in, they are looking at video of pitchers together a lot. As Abrams gets older and more experienced, I think his concentration will be able to sustain better for all 162.
It is a long season, so I don’t blame Abrams for not being totally locked in every game, especially on a bad team. However, as he becomes one of the older players on the team, he will have to find that consistency. I am bullish on him doing that, especially with this new coaching staff. When they warned him after he stared at a ball that was not a homer, Abrams took it well, which I liked.
The Nats are going to have an interesting decision to make with Abrams over the coming months. He has three years of team control left and was in trade rumors this offseason. Will the Nats trade him or could they possibly give him an extension that would be a big statement to the fanbase? He is a fan favorite and a player, I would not mind seeing get an extension.
That will be something we have to follow throughout the year. However, this start to the season has shown us why so many teams aggressively pursued Abrams. When he is at his best, CJ Abrams can be a really dynamic player. If he can unlock more consistency as he gets older, that would take his game to another level.
Another thing that would take his game to another level would be defensive improvements at shortstop. Most of the teams interested in Abrams, like the Royals and Giants, would have used him as a second baseman.
However, the Nats have him at shortstop, and I think he’s looked a bit better so far. This Dodgers series has not been as great defensively, but I think he has looked much smoother so far this season.
Blake Butera noted that Abrams has looked better making plays “outside of his body”. That is not always natural for Abrams, who Butera called a guy who likes to make plays with two hands. However, he has the natural athleticism to make those plays. It is all about being more confident in himself to make those plays. We will see how it goes, but I think Abrams will be a better defender in 2026.
Overall, I am more confident in Abrams sustaining his hot start this year than I was in prior seasons, especially last year. That is due to a couple factors. One is the coaching changes, which we have harped on constantly. Another one is Abrams just being an older, more mature player. Despite just being 25, he has been in the big leagues for a while now. By Nats standards, he is a veteran.
I think he will be more empowered to take on a leadership role, and that will help him. When Abrams concentration may drop, or his swing may lose some steam, there will always be someone in his ear. I also hope his own standards will be raised this year. CJ Abrams has always had the talent, but I am bullish on the idea that this is the year where he puts it together.
