CJ Abrams DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

As expected, Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (quadriceps) is back in the Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays after being pulled following a first-inning triple on Wednesday. Abrams is back at the 6 and is batting leadoff after experiencing tightness in both of his quadriceps muscles on Wednesday while rounding the bases. After a strong start to last season, the 24-year-old looks primed for another strong start in 2025 while hitting .300 with a home run in 30 at-bats this spring. However, Abrams tailed off in the second half in 2024 and was sent to the minors for staying out past curfew on a trip to Chicago. His chase rate is perhaps his biggest red flag, but Abrams still offers enough power/speed upside to be considered a top-10 fantasy shortstop. He was a first-time All-Star last year and had 20 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 138 games played.

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (quadriceps) was pulled from Wednesday's Grapefruit League game early against the Houston Astros after both of his quadriceps muscles tightened up on him during his first-inning triple. "He should be OK," manager Dave Martinez said. The 24-year-old is scheduled to be on the trip to Port Charlotte for Thursday's spring game against the Tampa Bay Rays, so it's obviously not a big concern. After tripling in the first inning, Abrams has now gone 9-for-30 in Grapefruit League play with a home run in 10 contests. He was a first-time All-Star in his second full season in D.C. in 2024 but had a lapse in judgment late in the year when he stayed out past curfew, which resulted in a trip back to the minors as punishment. Abrams was unable to sustain a solid first half and also continued to chase too many pitches, but there's no denying his power/speed upside as a top-10 fantasy SS.

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams will remain the team's leadoff hitter in 2025, according to manager Dave Martinez. Abrams held the top spot in the batting order from July of 2023 until August of last year and hit .252/.318/.441 with 111 runs scored, 35 doubles, nine triples, 28 homers, 89 RBI and 56 stolen bases. He was bumped from the leadoff spot after a second-half slump last year that included a demotion to the minors for disciplinary reasons. "CJ's done well up there," Martinez said. "I want him to lead off." It's unclear what the rest of the Nats' lineup will look like, but outfielder James Wood will probably hit second or third, with outfielder Dylan Crews also near the top of the order. The 24-year-old Abrams should be considered a top-10 fantasy shortstop thanks to his power/speed combo, but there are concerns about his plate discipline and his batted-ball metrics, as well as his maturity.