CJ Abrams is on the cusp of doing something no Nat has ever done
CJ Abrams has had hot starts to the season before, but this time feels different.
Abrams is looking to become the first shortstop in Nationals/Expos franchise history to start the All-Star game. But if he is able to make it back to the Summer Classic in 2026, it won't be the first time he's received an All-Star nod.
The Georgia native earned his first career selection in 2024 after a blistering start to that season while slashing .282/.353/.506 with 21 doubles, five triples, 14 home runs, 29 walks, 56 runs. 46 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in the first 82 games of that season.
He was third in the NL in triples, fifth in extra base hits, fifth in slugging, and tied for seventh in OPS. So Abrams is no stranger to being near the top of the offensive leader board at his position. But last time around, Abrams lost out to Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner for an opportunity to represent the National League as the starter.
This year, he has surpassed Turner and a few other shortstops to be the favorite to start this year.
Here´s what he´s done so far.
The case for CJ Abrams as the 2026 All-star shortstop starter
Through 70 games, CJ Abrams has 75 hits, including 13 doubles, two triples, and 14 home runs. He is slashing .290/.380/.524. Abrams is leading all National League shortstops in home runs, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging, runs scored, and OPS. He's third in walks and second in batting average.
The advanced stats help explain what's different for him at the plate this season.
CJ is barreling the ball much more this season than he has at any time in his career prior, and that is leading to many of his advanced hitting metrics being in the top percentiles in the league.
His 10.7% barrel percentage puts him well ahead of the league average of 7.6% and puts him in the 67th percentile, according to Baseball Savant. His xSLG (77th percentile), xBA (72nd percentile) and xwBOA (79th percentile) all suggest he´s in the upper echelon of hitters in the league. He´s pulling fewer of his ground balls and using the middle of the field more.
His walk% puts him in the 60th percentile, by far the best of his career and more than double his previous best in 28th percentile.
And it's not like pitchers haven't been trying to adjust. Abrams is seeing the fewest number of fastballs in his career, while pitchers throw him more breaking pitches than they ever have, and the offspeed pitches he sees are also increasing from last year.
Despite all of that, Abrams is as locked in as he has ever been at the plate.
The Nats gave Abrams a rest recently after he went 0-5 against the San Francisco Giants in a team win.
After going 0-3 in the series opener against the Mariners two days later, Abrams finished up the series going 4-9 with two RBIs.
Even more so than James Wood, who had a slow start to the season, Abrams has been the most consistent offensive player on the team all season. That consistency has put him in position to do something a Washington Nationals shortstop has never done and start the MLB All-Star Game.
He's more than earned it this season.
Related: James Wood is one adjustment away from being the best hitter in MLB
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This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 10:58 AM.