Washington’s 23-year-old shortstop, CJ Abrams, “beats Torii Turner’s 2017” [single-season stolen base] “He set a record on the final day of the season,” the Nationals wrote in their 2023 season review. atlanta braves”
Abrams’ manager, Davey Martinez, was asked after the final game of the regular season if Abrams was aware of his record heading into Game 162.
“There’s no question about that,” Martinez told reporters, but Abrams was briefly on the verge of setting a franchise record when reliever Joe Jimenez pitched for the second time in a row after Abrams’ RBI single. He said he thought he had been hit. The game was tied at 7-7 in the 8th inning. “He wanted it. When he took two steps and the guy fell over, I thought, ‘Oh, no, no, no,’ and he was okay, ‘Okay, I thought, “I should be okay now,” and I’m glad he knew.”
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Under MLB regulations, pitchers are limited to two “breakups” (including a throw to first base) per at-bat, so the speedy Abrams took a big lead and stole base No. 47 on his next pitch.
“[Abrams] “From July 7, when he moved into the leadoff position, to the end of the season, he led Major League Baseball with 36 stolen bases,” Knotts noted.
“Ronald Acuña Jr. was second with 32 stolen bases during that period,” the club added.
“Abrams was caught stealing just four times, the fewest of any player with at least 40 stolen bases in the major leagues this season. is the longest stolen base streak in America. [Nationals’] history. “
“He’s getting better every day,” Martinez said of Abrams’ stealth game. “I hope he really, really realizes what kind of player he can be because he has the potential to be an impact player going forward. Over the last few months, I’ve noticed his energy. I loved it. He did everything we asked him to do. I talked to him before you all went in and I was so proud of what he did and changed himself. I told him I was very proud of him and that we must keep moving forward, and he completely agreed.”
Abrams credited first base coach Eric Young Jr. for helping him reach that goal and improve his overall running game.
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Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Abrams said he was “honored” to set the franchise record, as quoted by MLB.com writer Jessica Camerato. “This shows that the hard work has paid off. Me and EY…we’ve done our homework. Every little thing pays off in the long run, so we hope to get even more next year. I’ll see if I can do it.”
The Nationals noted that the record set by Abrams is not only impressive in terms of club franchise records.
“According to the Elias Sports Bureau,” they wrote in their Season In Review, “Abrams is one of only seven players in Major League Baseball history to hit at least 15 home runs and steal at least 45 bases in a season. He was one of the shortstops (9 innings)… [and] According to Elias, he was the second youngest after Hanley Ramirez (17/51 in 2006, 22.282 years) and ahead of Alex Rodriguez (42/46 in 1998, 23.063 years). ”
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Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Abrams, who was acquired from San Diego in the high-end prospect package Rizzo acquired in the 2022 trade that sent Juan Soto and Josh Bell to the Padres, is a player they had in mind when scouting before the mega deal. Like already playing.
“His overall game has improved a lot,” the captain said in early September. [we were getting], and it’s happening pretty quickly. He hasn’t played much professional baseball. We’ve been teaching him on the run and he’s very astute and learns as he goes, but he wants to get better. ”
