CJ Abrams, 2023 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

When you don’t produce instantly, individuals take into account you a bust or at greatest a “wait and see.” You see it continually. Folks liked Andres Gimenez, then he struggled just a little and folks wrote him off, and now persons are on board with what he can do. Proper now, persons are “ready and seeing” with Wander Franco, who’s among the finest prospects in recent times. Talking of nice prospects who persons are ready and seeing on, right here’s what Prospect Itch stated about CJ Abrams, “CJ Abrams could be proper there with Bobby Witt Jr. and Julio Rodriguez for high spot throughout the minors if he’d stayed wholesome this yr. A 6’2” 185 lb lefty bat, Abrams’s greatest options are a double-plus hit software and 80-grade pace. He’s flashed further base energy however his swing isn’t geared for house run energy on the highest ranges. He’ll nonetheless pop his fair proportion, however you received’t actually care if he lives within the 15-range. His batting common and stolen bases alone will put him in early-round conversations at his roto peak, and I’d wish to throw Gray off a excessive peak.” Not cool, man. However have a look at these names whose firm Itch put Abrams — Bobby Witt Jr. and Julio Rodriguez. Now you possibly can both suppose Itch is loopy or Abrams won’t have confirmed us every part on the age of 21. A yr when he acquired shuffled between the minors and majors and San Diego and Washington. A yr when all that was occurring, and he nonetheless solely had a 16.6% strikeout fee. The bat goes to play, and also you could be in “wait and see” mode, however I need to draft and see. So, what can we count on from CJ Abrams for 2023 fantasy baseball and what makes him a sleeper?

Beginning with the adverse first, once I noticed Steamer projected CJ Abrams for 11 homers in 130 video games, I guffawed. A full-throated HA. I watched many at-bats with CJ Abrams, and, guys and 5 lady readers, I’m wondering if he can attain 5 homers.

1st profession HR for @CJAbrams01 means he will get the silent remedy within the dugout. pic.twitter.com/d2dKFvxgGx

— MLB (@MLB) April 15, 2022

There’s plusses and minuses to watching gamers vs. simply taking a look at their numbers. Typically you will get overly influenced by a man. When you watch Miguel Sano hit a house run 450 ft and your coronary heart fee doesn’t rise above his ldl cholesterol, you then’re not alive, however you’re not seeing all of the horrible hacks. Then generally you see a man hit seven homers in Triple-A in solely 30 video games (!) like CJ Abrams, and also you suppose he’s a house run hitter. Perhaps the ability will develop just a little bit, however does the man in that clip appear like a ten+ house run hitter in solely 130 video games? Perhaps I’m crumby with crackers within the noggin, however I simply went to a brand new age physician in California that launched ants into my ears to do away with the crackers and that CJ Abrams swing I’m taking a look at seems to be a 5-7 house run hitter. Good thing about the doubt, and it’s 140 video games and 7 homers. Although, wouldn’t be shocked if he hits lower than 5 homers all yr, and two of them are inside-the-parkers. Talking of which…

I might need ants in my head, however he’s acquired ants in his pants and dude flies. He’s acquired 29 ft/sec dash pace, in accordance with Statcast, however that feels low. Oh, it’s nonetheless elite, however he can motor. In 38 video games of Triple-A, he stole 14 luggage. He wasn’t wherever close to as environment friendly within the majors — 7 steals in solely 11 makes an attempt. With the restricted pickoff strikes, I imagine it should assist younger gamers essentially the most. Younger gamers aren’t acquainted with pitchers’ decide off strikes, so the sheer quantity being decrease, it should assist. Additionally, the Nats will probably be in an excellent place to only say, “Ya know what? We’re down by 5 earlier than the 2nd inning? How about we run just a little?” Nats will probably be a 100-loss workforce, and CJ Abrams might be a 50-steal participant. I’d be shocked if he doesn’t steal no less than 30.

Lastly, one thing I discussed within the lede. CJ Abrams makes nice contact. If “dude flies” which he does, and weighs the identical as a moist Sponge Daddy, which he does, he additionally swats the ball like a fly swatter, and the contact is fly paper and he’s gonna stick within the two gap. Misplaced in metaphors? Similar, however I believe I’m saying he’s quick, and can dwell off of simply swatting the ball on the bottom and working. He hit .290 in Triple-A for the Nats; .314 for the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate, and would’ve had the sixtieth greatest contact fee within the majors if he certified, as a 21-year-old rookie! Talking of his age, if I’m being actual with you, and why not? We’re friends. I’m anxious we’re a yr too early nonetheless. He won’t get away till he’s 23 or 24. That’s unpredictable, however for his present ADP of 240 general, he’s nicely well worth the flier and fantasy baseball sleeper designation (that’s so coveted). For 2023, I’ll give CJ Abrams projections of 77/6/61/.274/31 in 573 ABs with an opportunity for way more, particularly on pace.