Nationals shift CJ Abrams to second base amid defensive concerns
Washington Nationals manager Blake Butera said CJ Abrams will transition to regular second base, citing defensive struggles at shortstop while retaining his offensive value.
Washington’s manager Blake Butera told reporters that shortstop CJ Abrams will be moved to second base on a gradual basis, though he may still appear at shortstop occasionally. Nasim Nuñez is expected to remain the everyday shortstop while Abrams becomes the regular second baseman once he is comfortable in the role.
Abrams has struggled defensively at shortstop, posting a career-long minus-11 Defensive Runs Saved rating and a minus-63 grade on the Outs Above Average metric, the lowest among major leaguers from 2022-2026. This season he recorded the worst defensive metric in the league, despite having 5,297 innings at shortstop.
Offensively, Abrams continues to be a strong contributor, hitting .284/.357/.541 with 29 home runs, 23 stolen bases and a 143 wRC+ rating, placing him among the top-ten qualified hitters.
The positional change comes as the Nationals continue to rebuild, having traded several key players in recent months. Abrams is under contract through the 2028 season and is slated for free agency thereafter, prompting speculation about a possible extension or trade before his arbitration years increase his salary.
"We think this move will give CJ a chance to be more comfortable defensively while keeping his bat in the lineup," Butera said.
Second-base incumbent Nasim Nuñez, who leads the majors with 40 stolen bases but provides limited offensive production, will shift to shortstop, offering a defensive upgrade at the keystone position.
The organization also noted that top prospects Eli Willits and Seaver King could eventually fill shortstop duties, though both are still developing in the minors.