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Star San Diego Padres prospect C.J. Abrams couldn’t have imagined that his younger skilled profession would lead him so far.
Lower than three years after being the No. 6 general decide of the Padres, the Georgia native is about to make his MLB debut when the Padres open up their season in opposition to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.
It was famous earlier within the day that Adams had formally made San Diego’s Opening Day roster. It’s a stunning end result to his hopes of taking part in on the sport’s grandest of levels.
C.J. Abrams fast-tracked to the majors
According to MLB.com, Abrams headed into the spring because the ninth-best prospect in all of baseball. He’s the San Diego Padres’ prime prospect in a farm system that’s nonetheless loaded with expertise.
Nonetheless solely 21 years previous, Abrams’ ascension to the majors comes after he appeared in simply 44 minor league video games above rookie ball. The shortstop was harm by the 2020 MiLB season being canceled attributable to COVID-19. He additionally missed the ultimate three months of final season due to a fractured left tibia and MCL sprain he suffered in a collision whereas taking part in for the Double-A San Antonio Missions.
“Sitting out through the season was most likely the toughest half,” Abrams stated, via MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell. “I need to play — unhealthy. However you possibly can’t. That was the toughest half. Nevertheless it was all good, a superb restoration.”
It’s uncommon for a prospect to make it to the majors with out taking part in Triple-A ball. It’s much more uncommon given what Abrams himself has needed to take care of because the Padres chosen him out of Blessed Trinity Excessive Faculty in Roswell, Georgia, again in 2019.
Fernando Tatis harm opened up a spot for C.J. Abrams
One of many true younger superstars within the sport, Tatis Jr. is anticipated to overlook roughly the primary two months of the common season attributable to a fractured wrist he suffered through the offseason.
Blocking Abrams’ path to the majors attributable to the truth that they’re each pure shortstops, stated harm opened the door for the teen this spring. Abrams greater than took benefit of it.
There’s nonetheless some issues over strikeouts and making contact. In Abrams’ 37 spring coaching at-bats, he struck out 11 instances. That should change if he needs to be a top-of-the-order bat. For now, Abrams will begin his MLB profession on the bench.
C.J. Abrams as a possible San Diego Padres commerce chip
This could be arduous to disregard. As famous above, Tatis Jr. was blocking Abrams’ path to the majors. Positive the teen may play second base, however the presence of Jake Cronenworth complicates this additional.
Firmly trying to contend below new supervisor Bob Melvin following a down 2021 season, San Diego has made some win-now strikes. It added slugger Luke Voit and pitcher Sean Manaea in trades over the previous a number of weeks.
There’s additionally a serious want within the outfield for the Padres. May they probably use Abrams as a commerce chip early within the season or main as much as the August MLB commerce deadline? It’s an actual risk. Giving him a chance to play now may enhance the teen’s commerce worth.
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