Quote from hoffy51 on March 13, 2021, 7:10 am

Quote from JasonE135 on 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.

Previews of coming attractions:

Abrams (CF)

Tatis (SS)

Machado (3B)

Hosmer (1B)

Ona (DH)

Grisham (LF)

Campusano (C)

Cronenworth (2b)

Hassell III (RF)

 

Quote from LynchMob on March 19, 2021, 12:57 pm

BA sez ... https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/mlb-scouts-identify-25-players-turning-heads-at-2021-spring-training/

CJ Abrams, SS, Padres

The sixth overall pick in the 2019 draft, Abrams hit .401 in the Rookie-level Arizona League in his pro debut and starred at the alternate training site and instructional league last year. He has appeared in 14 of the Padres’ first 16 games this spring and hit a grand slam against the Brewers on Monday.

Scout’s Take: “Abrams looks every bit the part. He’s a special type of player. He’s a special type of athlete. He’s not ready to hit big league pitching yet but he’s such a premium athlete. He has average game power in him at maturity, he’s going to be in the middle of the diamond and he’s going to be one of the fastest runners in the game. He’s not scared by the bright lights. I know it’s spring training but a lot of those guys, their heart is pounding too quick because they’re on the same field as the stars. Not him. He’s gotten better defensively at shortstop, he’s got the range for it, but I don’t think that arm works best there. It’s either second base and center, and I personally would like to see him in center where his legs can play.”

Quote from LynchMob on May 5, 2021, 2:21 pm

https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/cj-abrams-updates?t=padres-pipeline-coverage

https://madfriars.com/2021/05/05/san-diego-padres-daily-farm-report-may-4-2/

My favorite line from the DFR ...

The multi-hit effort raised Abrams’ career batting average to .394 – a number that bears significance for Padres’ fans

🙂

Quote from LynchMob on May 9, 2021, 3:35 pm

https://www.mlb.com/news/cj-abrams-first-home-run-2021?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage

Good video of the HR!

Quote from fenn68 on May 25, 2021, 5:05 pm

I know most of us are projecting Abrams into the OF as soon as 2022 based on his performance and a Padre need.

Did hear some discussion (not sure how much of this was based on a Padre source discussion) but some potential alternative scenarios:

1. IF Hosmer opts out after next season, Cronenworth shifts to 1B (very good there defensively) and Abrams slides into 2B.
2. (not loving this one) but slide Abrams into SS based on better defense than Tatis and move Tatis to CF. We have heard this before and, although maybe from a pure baseball evaluation logical, from a Padres / fan perspective not the best place to showcase Tatis in my view.

Abrams could end up anywhere ... seems athletic enough but there is some appeal to the 2B post-Hosmer option. If legit option ... make make a difference on how the Padres use him in the minors and who the pursue in trades/FA over the winter.

Quote from BoosterSD on May 26, 2021, 7:35 am

After another throwing error last night, I was wondering about a position switch for Tatis. I think you could keep Grisham in CF and easily have Tatis go to LF.

If Hosmer does opt out, you could still have Jake at 1B, Abrams at 2B, and put Kim at SS, and still slide Tatis to LF. Kim's defense is really good, might be worth the lesser bat at SS for the better defense.

I think I read somewhere that Tatis was not opposed to going to the OF.

Quote from WindsorUK on May 26, 2021, 3:41 pm

The Padres are NOTORIOUS for moving good players off their spot!

Here's to not moving Grisham, the reigning Gold Glove CF in MLB, out of his spot.

I really enjoy JR. at SS but unless he cuts down the E's, HE'S the one that needs to be shifted.

Quote from fenn68 on May 26, 2021, 4:42 pm

Tatis just turned 22 in January and has shown the ability to make adjustments ... so way too early to write him off as a SS. Need to live with the pain for his development and the long term benefit of the club.

I guess IF he does not improve .. and when Abrams is ready and shows he is a better SS ... maybe that is when the discussion happens. Kim (who I really like defensively) still has a lot of work to do on his offense at the ML level to unseat one of the regulars on a full time basis.

I am guessing 2023 post Pham and Myers with a big need in the OF and 1.5 years of development with Tatis, Abrams, and Kim. The bats will play anywhere so who presents best at SS might force the decision.

Quote from LynchMob on June 14, 2021, 7:45 am

From today's DFR ...

CJ Abrams, making his fourth start of the year at second base, collected a pair of singles, a double and a walk in five trips to the plate, pushing his batting average up to .301. The youngest qualified hitter on the circuit, Abrams has been nearly 20% better than league average through the first seven weeks of the campaign.