Abrams' philosophy of 'living in the moment' pays off in 3-hit game

MIAMI -- CJ Abrams has showcased his head-turning talents on the bases early into his Major League career. On Sunday, the 21-year-old shortstop also demonstrated his ability to make adjustments with a pair of notable baserunning sequences in the Nationals’ 6-1 win over the Marlins at loanDepot park.

“He stays in the moment, and then all of a sudden he says, ‘I’ve got to get to the next pitch,’” said manager Dave Martinez. “He’s really done a great job with that. He doesn’t sulk over it. He comes back, he watches video and then he shrugs it off, knowing that there’s going to be some more plays that he’s got to make. I love that about him.”

Abrams got on base in the second inning with a line-drive single into right field off Edward Cabrera. He stole his fourth base of the season to advance to second, and he reached third on an Ildemaro Vargas single. When Victor Robles attempted a safety squeeze, Abrams sprinted home, extending his left leg as he slid.

But as Abrams walked toward the dugout, catcher Nick Fortes ran over to tag him. There had not been a call on the play until that moment, and Abrams was called out after not touching home plate.

“He thought he was 100 percent safe,” said Martinez. “When he came in, he said, ‘I know for a fact that I hit the plate.’ It looked to me like his front cleat got stuck on the plate and popped up. They saw it differently.”

The Nationals challenged the call, which stood after an official review. It was ruled a fielder’s choice out.

“I can’t control that,” Abrams said. “I thought I touched the plate. I didn’t, I guess. But just keep playing, keep pushing.”

Abrams wouldn’t let that moment rattle him. In his next at-bat in the fourth inning, he connected on a double to right field and got to third on Robles’ bunt. Martinez had given the rookie -- who entered the game ranked in the 91st percentile among all players in sprint speed -- the green light to steal home if Robles attempted to steal second base, and he was ready.

“He’s very aware of what’s going on,” said Martinez. “We had a play on. He saw the ball leave the hand, and he took off.”

Robles recognized the Marlins were not covering second, and he dashed for his team-leading 15th stolen base of the season. The throw from Fortes ricocheted off him and toward shortstop Miguel Rojas. Seeing the opportunity, Abrams scored on a double steal.

“Living in the moment, I’m big on that,” Abrams said. “Don’t get too high or too low. Keep going.”

Abrams went on to score again in the eighth inning, finishing the afternoon 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. A key player in the Juan Soto Trade Deadline deal with the Padres, he has been hitting his stride at the plate this month.

“A little bit of comfort, a little bit of confidence -- he’s playing well,” said Martinez. “We’re allowing him to play the game. With that being said, we have teaching moments that we’re trying to teach him how to do things the right way, and he’s been really good. He really has been. He’s been very intuitive on everything that we’ve asked him to do.”