The Washington Nationals have made a surprise move, shifting All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams to second base, vacating the only position he's played during his five seasons with the club.
Manager Blake Butera announced the move Friday, saying Abrams has begun working out at second. Butera stated the transition will be more "multiday than multiweek," and Abrams will swap spots with second baseman Nasim Nuñez.
Abrams, who led off and played shortstop Friday night against the New York Mets, acknowledged the change. "That's just where I've been playing my whole life," he said. "I believe I can be a great shortstop."
Abrams is having a career year offensively, with 28 homers, a major league-best 91 RBIs, a .284 average, and an .898 OPS. However, he also leads NL shortstops with 19 errors, just three shy of his career high from 2023 and 2025.
The decision to shift Abrams to second base comes as the team considers its future prospects, including first-round picks on shortstops Seaver King and Eli Willits in 2024 and 2025. Willits, selected first overall, is Washington's no. 1 prospect, per MLB.com.
Butera emphasized the importance of the move, saying, "Just thought this was the best thing for our team going forward." Abrams, while initially hesitant, expressed understanding, saying, "The competitor in me wants to say I can do this at shortstop, but also understand we have to do what's best for the team and the organization going forward."
Nuñez has shown promise at second base, with nine errors and a .965 fielding percentage. He leads the majors in range factor at the position.
The Nationals will monitor the situation closely, with Abrams and Nuñez set to continue working out at their new positions. The team's ultimate goal is to win as many games as possible the rest of the year and set themselves up for next year.
Abrams' last experience at second base dates back to his rookie season in 2022, when he made 13 appearances at the position for the San Diego Padres. He described the transition as "not too big of a change."
The Nationals will look to their young players, including Willits and King, to help fill the void left by Abrams at shortstop. As the team navigates this transition, one thing is clear: the Nationals are prioritizing their future prospects and looking to make a push for the playoffs.
Source: Yahoo Sports