Nationals Move All-Star CJ Abrams to Second Base
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CJ Abrams, the Washington Nationals' All-Star shortstop, is shifting to second base, a significant change for a player who has manned the left side of the infield his entire five-year career. Manager Blake Butera confirmed the decision on Friday, noting that Abrams has already begun workouts at his new position. The transition, Butera said, will be more "multiday than multiweek," with Abrams and current second baseman Nasim Nuñez essentially swapping spots.
"Just thought this was the best thing for our team going forward," Butera explained. "We think with those two up the middle and Nasim playing more shortstop gives us the best chance." The manager acknowledged that Abrams was receptive to the idea, even though shortstops often take pride in their role. Abrams himself admitted, "That's just where I've been playing my whole life. I believe I can be a great shortstop." Yet he also recognized the organizational need.
Abrams, who started the All-Star Game for the National League, is enjoying a career-best offensive season. He has launched 28 home runs, driven in a major-league-leading 91 RBIs, and posted a .284 batting average with an .898 OPS. However, his defense has been a concern. He leads all NL shortstops with 19 errors, just three shy of his personal high from 2023 and 2025, and his .958 fielding percentage would be a career low.
Nuñez, meanwhile, has nine errors and a .965 fielding percentage at second base, but he leads the majors in range factor at that position. The Nationals have also invested heavily in shortstop prospects, using first-round picks on Seaver King in 2024 and Eli Willits in 2025. Willits, the No. 1 overall pick, is Washington's top prospect per MLB.com, while King ranks fourth.
"We're thinking about all those things," Butera said, referring to the young talent. "But ultimately, right now, what we're trying to do is do what's best for this team and this organization to win as many games as possible the rest of the year and also set ourselves up for next year."
Abrams has not played second base since his rookie season in 2022, when he made 13 appearances there for the San Diego Padres. He downplayed the adjustment, saying, "It's not too big of a change." The Nationals hope the move will strengthen their middle infield defense while keeping Abrams' potent bat in the lineup. The team faces the New York Mets on Friday night, with Abrams leading off and playing shortstop one last time before the shift takes effect.
Article commentary
The Washington Nationals' decision to move CJ Abrams to second base is a calculated gamble that reflects both defensive urgency and long-term roster planning. At first glance, the move seems counterintuitive: Abrams is an All-Star offensive force, leading the majors in RBIs, and his bat is a cornerstone of the Nationals' lineup. Yet his defensive metrics at shortstop are alarming. A .958 fielding percentage and 19 errors—the highest among NL shortstops—suggest that his glove work has not kept pace with his hitting. The Nationals essentially had to choose between keeping a premium defensive shortstop in Nasim Nuñez or sacrificing range for offense. By shifting Abrams to second, they preserve his bat while upgrading the most critical defensive position on the field. What makes this move particularly interesting is the timing. The Nationals are not in a playoff push—they are a rebuilding team with an eye on the future. Butera's comments about "winning as many games as possible the rest of the year" and "setting ourselves up for next year" indicate that the organization is balancing immediate competitiveness with development. The presence of top shortstop prospects Seaver King and Eli Willits adds another layer. Willits, the No. 1 overall pick, is likely the long-term answer at shortstop. Moving Abrams now allows Nuñez to handle shortstop until Willits is ready, while Abrams solidifies second base—a position he has played before, albeit briefly. Abrams' willingness to accept the change is noteworthy. Many star players resist positional shifts, viewing it as a demotion. But Abrams' demeanor—"the competitor in me wants to say I can do this at shortstop but also understand we have to do what's best for the team"—shows maturity and team-first mentality. That attitude is crucial for a clubhouse that is still finding its identity. The Nationals have a young core, and Abrams' leadership, both on and off the field, will be essential as they build toward contention. The defensive metrics support the swap. Nuñez leads the majors in range factor at second base, meaning he covers more ground than any other second baseman. Moving him to shortstop, where range is even more critical, could maximize his defensive value. Meanwhile, Abrams' error-prone play at shortstop—often due to erratic throws—might be less damaging at second base, where throws are shorter and more routine. The question is whether Abrams' bat can compensate for any defensive regression at his new position. Given his offensive production, the Nationals are likely betting it will. From a broader perspective, this move mirrors trends across MLB. Teams increasingly value defensive versatility and are willing to shift star players if it improves the overall lineup. The Dodgers' move of Mookie Betts from outfield to infield and the Cardinals' shift of Paul Goldschmidt to first base are recent examples. For the Nationals, this is a pragmatic step that addresses an immediate weakness without sacrificing long-term potential. If Abrams adjusts quickly and Nuñez thrives at short, the Nationals' middle infield could become a strength. If not, they have the prospect depth to pivot. Either way, it's a smart, forward-thinking decision that shows the organization is thinking beyond the current season.