CJ Abrams moving from shortstop to second base for Nationals

The Washington Nationals announced over the weekend that CJ Abrams will move from shortstop to second base, closing the book on one of the most defensively challenging shortstop tenures in the modern tracking era. The position change comes as Abrams has posted a career at the position that ranks among the worst ever measured by Baseball Savant's Outs Above Average system, even as his bat has flourished in 2026.

What happened

Washington announced the position change over the weekend, per FanGraphs. Abrams will shift from shortstop to second base for the remainder of the season. The move ends a run at shortstop that began with his debut in 2022 and has spanned nearly his entire major-league career.

The announcement did not specify when the transition would take effect or whether it would begin during the club's current road trip through Texas and Miami.

Why it matters

The position change addresses a defensive profile that has been historically poor by modern measurement standards. Abrams this year has posted -17 Outs Above Average at shortstop, the worst mark in the majors at any position in 2026, per FanGraphs. That figure is not an outlier in his body of work. Since his debut in 2022, Abrams has played almost exclusively shortstop and posted OAA marks of -8, -9, -18, and -11 before this season's -17. His career -64 OAA at shortstop makes him the sixth-worst fielder at any position ever recorded by the system, per FanGraphs.

The shift to second base offers a path to mitigate the defensive cost while keeping Abrams' bat in the lineup. Second base typically demands less range and arm strength than shortstop, and the position change could allow Abrams to settle into a role where his glove does less damage to the club's run prevention.

The timing of the announcement is itself notable. FanGraphs characterized a position change for Abrams as unsurprising given the defensive track record, but noted that the fact it merited a formal announcement speaks to the profile Abrams has built at the plate in 2026. The report described his 2026 season as a "tremendous breakout" offensively, though it did not provide specific numbers.

Where the club stands

The Nationals entered Wednesday with a 67-78 record, fourth in the National League East and 19 games behind the division leader. Washington is 9.5 games out of the Wild Card cut line and has been eliminated from the division race. The club is on a four-game losing streak.

Washington opens a three-game road trip Thursday at the Texas Rangers, with Andrew Alvarez scheduled to face Jacob deGrom at Globe Life Field. The Nationals then travel to Miami for a weekend series beginning Friday, with Brad Lord set to oppose Ryan Gusto and Jake Irvin slated to pitch Saturday against Eury Pérez.

The position change gives Washington a chance to see how Abrams fits at second base over the final stretch of the season, a useful data point as the club builds its roster. With the playoff race out of reach, the Nationals can prioritize development and evaluation over short-term roster optimization.

What we don't know yet

The announcement did not specify when Abrams will make his first start at second base or whether the transition will be immediate. It is unclear whether Washington will use the remaining games to rotate Abrams between the two positions or commit fully to second base for the rest of 2026.

The club also has not addressed how the move affects the rest of the infield alignment. If Abrams shifts to second base, Washington will need to fill shortstop, either with a player already on the roster or by adjusting the defensive configuration more broadly. The announcement did not name a replacement at shortstop.

The offensive side of the equation remains unquantified in the announcement. FanGraphs described Abrams' 2026 season as a "tremendous breakout" at the plate, but the club has not released specific numbers or context for that characterization. Whether the offensive gains are sustainable and whether they outweigh the defensive struggles will shape how Washington views Abrams' long-term role.

What to watch

Abrams' first start at second base will offer an early look at how the transition unfolds. The adjustment period could be brief or could stretch across multiple games, depending on how quickly Abrams adapts to the new angles and responsibilities. Second base requires different footwork and positioning than shortstop, particularly on double-play turns and covering first base on grounders to the right side.

The defensive metrics will take time to accumulate, but early returns on Abrams' range and positioning at second base will be visible in how Washington's pitching staff fares with him at the new spot. If the move stabilizes the infield defense, it could provide a template for the club's infield configuration going forward. If the struggles persist, the Nationals may need to consider whether Abrams' long-term home is at a less demanding position or whether the offensive production justifies the defensive cost regardless of where he plays.

The infield alignment will also bear watching. Whoever takes over at shortstop will inherit a position that has been a defensive liability for Washington, and the club's ability to stabilize the left side of the infield could affect how the pitching staff performs down the stretch. If the replacement at shortstop struggles, the move may simply shift the defensive problem rather than solve it. If the replacement provides an upgrade, the position change will look like a clear win for the Nationals.

The broader question is whether Abrams can become a league-average defender at second base. The bar is lower there than at shortstop, but the OAA system will still track his range, positioning, and ability to convert plays. If he can post even a neutral defensive mark at second base, Washington will have found a way to keep his bat in the lineup without the defensive cost that has defined his career at shortstop. If the metrics remain poor, the club will need to weigh whether the offensive production is enough to justify the defensive struggles, no matter where he plays.