Givanni Damico | June 1st, 2019
C.J. Abrams, SS (Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Georgia)
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 178 lbs
Age: 18
Bats: L
Throws: R
MLB Pipeline Grades – Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 75 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 60
C.J. Abrams is a shortstop at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Georgia. He has a long, slim build with great athleticism. He is a fantastic runner, recording a blazing fast 6.29-second 60-yard dash without exerting too much energy. He is a very good student who is currently committed to play college baseball at the University of Alabama. Abrams was selected to play in the Perfect Game All-American game in 2018.
Strengths:
As stated earlier, Abrams can fly. This speed is shown on the basepaths and helps his range at shortstop. He bunts for hits a lot and is able to beat out some ground balls as well. Dee Gordon is someone who Abrams draws comparisons to, but Abrams definitely has more pop in his bat than Gordon. He’s a great hitter who makes consistent contact and uses the entire field to his advantage. His bat speed is great and his plate vision is superb as well. He doesn’t have much power, but he should be able to slug a respectable 10-15 home runs per year in the MLB if his development goes as planned. Abrams has a good arm well which allows him to make good plays in the hole at shortstop.
Weaknesses:
Many question Abrams’ ability to stay at the shortstop position at the next level. He’s not as fluid as many of the other draft prospects and may benefit from a transition to second base. The good thing about getting drafted as a high schooler is that you have plenty of time to sharpen your abilities before you get the call to the big leagues. I’m not worried about his defense. It will get better as he continues to develop. Other than his slight lack of pop, Abrams doesn’t have many other glaring weaknesses.
Overview:
C.J. Abrams has the game-changing speed that should allow him to hit for a high average and swipe plenty of bags. Where he will be utilized on defense remains a mystery, but he has the arm strength to play anywhere in the infield. He may never hit over 20 home runs, but with all of his other tools, that is not a red flag. If he can sharpen up his fielding ability, there will be little doubt about his future success in the MLB.
Draft Prediction: Round 1, Pick 4 to the Miami Marlins
I don’t see Abrams being taken before Bobby Witt Jr. but I also don’t see him falling out of the top five. The Marlins need… well, everything. Once again, you don’t draft by team need in the MLB Draft, so Abrams’ would not only be a team need anyways, he would be a tremendous value at this spot in the draft. It may take a little while before he gets the call-up, but he can spend that time becoming the five-tool player (maybe without the power) that he has the potential to be.
Check out our other Draft Previews:
Andrew Vaughn | Will Wilson | Jackson Rutledge | Hunter Bishop | JJ Bleday | Kameron Misner | Logan Davidson| Seth Johnson | Bobby Witt Jr. | Josh Jung|Adley Rutschman |Daniel Espino|Nick Lodolo|Kody Hoese| Matthew Allan|
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Main Image Credit: https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Playerprofile.aspx?ID=446124
