GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Padres invited top prospect C.J. Abrams to big league camp this spring and told him to go win a roster spot.
Sure looks like Abrams is winning it.
In a spring full of dazzling performances from Abrams, Saturday night brought arguably his best yet. The speedy infielder dropped a savvy bunt up the third-base line for a single in the top of the first inning. He made a twisting, acrobatic play at second base in the second inning. In the fifth, Abrams shot a double down the left-field line, then stole third base and scored when the throw sailed into left field.
So what, exactly, does Abrams feel he has proven this spring?
“That I’m ready to rock,” Abrams said following the Padres’ 6-3 loss to Cincinnati at Goodyear Ballpark.
“He’s been really consistent in his performance,” said Padres manager Bob Melvin. “He’s using the whole field now, hitting homers. … He’s digging pretty hard for a job. There’s no doubt about that.”
And there’s a job available for a player of Abrams’ ilk, too. The Padres will be without shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. for three months as he rehabs a fractured left wrist. Right now, their only cover at short is Ha-Seong Kim, who struggled at the plate last season and might be best served as a part-time starter. Behind Kim, the Padres don’t have any backup infield options on the roster.
The closer it gets to Thursday’s regular-season opener, the more likely it is that the lefty-hitting Abrams will open the year as the last infielder on the roster, expected to split time with the righty-hitting Kim at shortstop.
Perhaps most important, Abrams is showing traits that should allow him to withstand some attrition in the big leagues. Sure, he’s only 21 years old, and there’s a chance he’ll struggle against Major League pitching early on. But — as was evident Saturday night — his wheels are elite, and his defense is steady.
“I’m paying attention to detail,” Abrams said. “Just going out there and doing my thing, having fun with it.”
After the display Saturday, Melvin was asked whether he feels Abrams is big league ready. The Padres skipper broke into a wry grin.
“What is Major League ready at this point — when you’ve played in Double-A, and you’re doing really well up here right now, with no nerves?” Melvin said. “That’s the decision to make. Can you make that jump?”