New Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez speaks alongside general manager Mike Rizzo during a baseball press conference, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Nationals’ CJ Abrams issues bold claim about post-Juan Soto era
The 23-year-old is scorching in June.
When the Nationals sent star Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres in the summer of 2022, they expected to struggle for some time, but behind two of the players acquired for Soto – CJ Abrams and MacKenzie Gore – Washington is ahead of schedule.
Abrams has been on a tear for the last month, and he’s also got a great approach to the post-Juan Soto era, per Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune:
“It was an opportunity when we came over here. This is our team now. We’re doing our thing.”
The 23-year-old Abrams has a 1.034 OPS through the first 16 games in June and is the Nationals’ leader in homers (12), RBIs (39), runs (45), slugging (.496) and OPS (.817).
Additionally, 25-year-old starting pitcher Gore enters Tuesday’s start leading the Nationals in wins (6) and strikeouts (98).
“We have a really good group of guys and we want to win for each other,” Gore said – also per Sanders. “I think that’s why we’ve had the success we’ve had. It’s still early. It’s June. We have a lot of games left … but it’s been fun being part of this group and watching these guys get better.”
The two players return with the Nationals to take on their former team, the San Diego Padres, this week.
