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CJ Abrams
#41 · March 6, 2021, 11:56 pm
Quote from Brian Connelly on February 26, 2021, 3:35 pmQuote from TucsonClip on February 26, 2021, 10:17 amOne would think you want to see Abrams continue to improve at the plate, right? He has very limited experience seeing good pitching, so let him focus on his bat getting him closer to San Diego, and not throw in a new position right away. Ease him into a new role when the bat proves reliable against better competition.
This argument gets made a lot. When you first hear it, it sounds reasonable. But think for a second.... it's the MINORS. I just don't see how a young 18-19 yr old guy going out to 2B or CF in some A-ball games instead of SS "affects his bat"?? The games are exponentially less meaningful...
Jake Cronenworth is a perfect example. He's 27, played 5 full seasons in the Minors, we may end up counting on him to play significant corner OF innings in a division race vs LAD with no margin for error... and he's played 6 innings total OF in his career. WHHHYYYY?!? Just feel like the Minors, not MLB is where you should get the exposure & "feel" for what it's like to take the field outside your primary position. Versatility is SO important in today's MLB game, don't understand why it's not focused on more sharply in the minors.
And Cronenworth proved right away his bat could keep him in the lineup.
As Fenn says, it doesn't mean he CANT play OF this year in the minors. It's that, as my post says, you want to see his bat prove reliable before you begin his final progression. While the games might be exponentially less meaningful, they sure as hell mean a lot if all of a sudden he can't hit better pitching.
#42 · March 7, 2021, 9:50 am
There's just a lot of circular logic contradiction around him (or any player) moving around defensively.
On the one hand, it's been repeatedly stated that a SS can "easily" move off his position to "quickly learn" say OF. BUT then the arguments are being made that: 1) It might "affect" the player offensively to make this "easy" transition, and 2) He "can't" play multiple positions , because he needs to focus on learning the new ("easy") one. These stances can't both be true at the same time.
The other contradictory argument that's getting made constantly is that we should challenge Abrams (& every other top 30 prospect position player that's ever been in our system) by aggressively pushing him up a level of the minors to AA, but that we can't "challenge" him with learning a new position? Then why not start him at High-A where he's more likely to succeed offensively to begin learning the new position? Or to word it another way, WHY push a guy up the minors aggressively WITHOUT developing him at multiple positions if he's obviously capable & the need exists at MLB? How is that ultimately helping the player or the MLB team?
Abrams has been maybe the biggest highlight of camp. Does NOT look overrated as a Top 10 in MLB prospect. Does NOT seem to be too big a reach that he could really help the Padres in 2022. He's flashed elite defensive ability in the INF. But we've just signed an elite MLB SS for 14 years, and a possibly elite defensive & offensive 2B for 4 years. Abrams best chance to help the Padres in 2022 is extremely obviously in the OF. It just seems idiotic to me to claim that Abrams playing OF in High A or AA in 2021 might be "too much on his plate" or "affect his offense", but to then expect him to do it for the WS contender Padres in 2022.
Wouldn't THAT be "too much on his plate"?!?!
#43 · March 7, 2021, 10:22 am
I guess a lot will have to with the opinion of Abrams hitting and the appropriate placement to start 2021. It seems as though his bat is pretty advanced ... so if they want him in the mix for 2022 a AA placement is possible. If he is going to be that elite ML player it is his bat elevates him from another of a long list of good fielding / speedy players. Think “challenging” maybe be a level that he cannot dominate but will not be a flat out failure so he understands his shortcomings and works on improvements.
Once the Padres see that he has made the needed development offensively ... then (maybe late 2021) start making inroads in the OF. Fall instructs could go full bore in the OF and then commit to that in ST 2022.
Just think the Padres are quietly confident that the move to the OF for Abrams will not require that much time ... but getting his bat to the ML level is the challenge. He will have to hit to be on the ML roster in 2022 as a starter. To start 2021 keep in simple and have him spend all his development on hitting ... then ...
Having said all that I would put him in CF to start the season ... but I am not the Padres development folks. Side: of course keeping him at SS (with added development) provides insurance if Tatis goes down for an extended period with a major injury that ends his SS career.
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#44 · March 8, 2021, 1:16 pm
I know it is a small sample size, but keep in mind that Abrams did play Center Field for Team USA 18U and apparently played well there. Not starting from scratch, so at least that should help if he eventually transitions to the Outfield
#45 · March 12, 2021, 2:27 pm
Now a home run. Wow
#46 · March 12, 2021, 3:31 pm
Didn’t get to see it and I can’t even find video?
Amyone have it?
#47 · March 12, 2021, 7:08 pm
#48 · March 12, 2021, 8:26 pm
Super excited about this kid......if he can add some strength there’s no telling how good he can be.
#49 · March 12, 2021, 9:05 pm
I think he could be like a better version of Chone Figgins minus the switch hitting. I've seen Jose Reyes and even Kenny Lofton comparisons thrown out there from some of the talking heads. I'm super excited to see what he turns into.
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#50 · March 13, 2021, 12:06 am
He looks like he could be a LHH Trea Turner with a better arm and defense. I can see a similar line to the lifetime .296/.353/.480/.833 with 10-25 HR and 30-50 SB yearly that Turner has put up if we are very lucky.
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