CJ Abrams

CJ Abrams's Biography

Paul Christopher Abrams Jr., commonly known as “CJ” after his father, was born on October 3, 2000. This talented young man is an American baseball player who has been lauded for his remarkable skill and agile play. He currently plays as a shortstop for the Major League Baseball (MLB) team, the Washington Nationals.

A Georgia native, CJ spent his high school years at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell, developing an incredible skill set in baseball. His senior year in 2019 was marked by his exceptional performance when he hit a .431 with three home runs and 27 runs batted in (RBI). This helped him secure the title of Georgia Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year, a highly coveted recognition amongst high school athletes. Abrams’ athletic prowess also gained him an invitation to play for Team USA in the 2018 U-18 Pan-American Championships – a testament to his growing stature in baseball.

Alongside his baseball career in high school, Abrams committed himself to play college baseball at the University of Alabama. However, it was not long before his tremendous potential was noticed by the major leagues. As 2019 progressed, Abrams was seen as one of the top prospects for the Major League Baseball draft, leading to his selection in the first round, with the sixth overall pick by the San Diego Padres.

Signing with the Padres on June 8 came with a $5.2 million tag, a worthy price for Abrams’ talent. His first assignment was with the Arizona League Padres, where he excelled by hitting safely in his first 20 games. A brief stint with shoulder injury followed his promotion to the Fort Wayne TinCaps in August, nevertheless, his overall performance in 34 games between the two clubs was outstanding. He had a batting average of .393/.436/.647 with three home runs, 22 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases.

The year 2020 saw Abrams sidelined due to the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in the cancellation of the minor league season. Yet, in the following year, he came back swinging stronger. Playing for the Double-A San Antonio Missions, he suffered a setback with a fractured left tibia and sprained medial collateral ligament after colliding with a co-player but not before he was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game in June 2021.

Despite a challenging year filled with uncertainty and injury, in 2022, the Padres included Abrams on their Opening Day roster. On April 7, he made his much-anticipated MLB debut, and a week later, he hit his first career home run. As his career ascended, Abrams found himself in a significant development in August when he was traded to the Washington Nationals alongside other notable players such as James Wood, MacKenzie Gore, Robert Hassell, and others. After the trade, Abrams was assigned to the Nationals’ Triple-A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings, and made his debut in the major leagues later that month.

Quickly establishing himself as a rising star in professional baseball, his first full season with the Nationals in 2023 saw him hit an impressive .245 with 18 home runs and 47 stolen bases, primarily as a leadoff. His continued development and consistent performances did not go unnoticed, and in 2024, Abrams was named to the National League All-Star Team, marking his first All-Star appearance.

Carving a name for himself in the fast-paced world of baseball, Paul Christopher Abrams Jr. is decidedly an exciting talent to watch. His father, known as “Chris”, shied away from using his full name, but the younger Abrams took it in stride, earning the nickname “CJ”, short for “Chris Junior”, a testament to a legacy inherited and big shoes being filled.