'He’s been the catalyst': Abrams hits two homers in rout of Pirates

PITTSBURGH -- Nationals manager Dave Martinez never had any doubts that CJ Abrams could develop into a power hitter.

It didn't matter to Martinez that Abrams didn't hit a home run in 163 plate appearances for the Nationals last season after being acquired from the Padres in the blockbuster Juan Soto deal at the Trade Deadline.

“If you watch him take batting practice, it’s in the there,” Martinez said of Abrams’ power potential. “Now, it’s translating into the game. He’s giving himself a chance to hit every pitch.”

The 22-year-old shortstop showed that when he hit two home runs to lead the Nationals to a 6-2 victory over the Pirates on Monday night in the opener of a four-game series at PNC Park. It marked the first multihomer game of Abrams’ two-year career and raised his season total to 18.

The Nationals won for the third time in their past five games following a six-game losing streak.

“I was just looking for my pitch, anything in the middle of the plate," Abrams said. "And I got two good pitches to hit, and I didn’t miss them."

Abrams’ first homer was a two-run blast to right-center field in the third inning off Andre Jackson that opened the scoring. Abrams connected again in the seventh for a solo shot off Cody Bolton that pushed the Nationals’ lead to 6-1.

That came a day after Abrams sat out a loss to the Dodgers in Washington because of a sore knee sustained Saturday during an awkward slide.

“He’s fine,” Martinez said with a smile. “He stayed short to the ball. He tried to get the ball up [in the air], and he got a changeup up and then a fastball middle in. He’s been playing really well. When he’s leading off for us, he’s been the catalyst.”

Abrams is hitting .252/.305/.428 in his first full MLB season, with 41 stolen bases in 133 games. He is the second-youngest shortstop in big-league history to have 15 homers and 50 steals in a season behind Hanley Ramirez, who achieved the feat in 2006 with the Marlins when he was also 22.

However, Abrams has really taken off since being moved to top of the order on July 7, hitting .275 with 11 home runs and 30 stolen bases over 55 games.

“I’m just more comfortable, I’d say,” Abrams said. “I’m just getting my pitch. Less antsy and not swinging at everything. If I stay with that approach, I’ll be good.”

The Nationals believe Abrams can be better than good, especially if he can improve on his ratio of 103 strikeouts to 25 walks this season in future years.

“I always said when he really learns how to shrink the strike zone, he’s going to be an All-Star, he’s going to be something else,” Martinez said.

Abrams’ two home runs helped left-hander Patrick Corbin (10-13) reach double-digit wins for the first time since 2019 when the Nationals won the World Series. Corbin allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts.

Dominic Smith homered and had two hits for the Nationals, who also got two hits apiece from Keibert Ruiz and Ildemaro Vargas.

Corbin has been in the big leagues since 2012, so he knows what a potential star player looks like. He thinks Abrams can reach that level.

“From the beginning of the season until now, just to see the growth of what he’s done, you can see he’s going to be a special player for a long time,” Corbin said. “To see him defensively, I think has been really impressive. He’s saved a bunch of runs for us pitchers.

“Obviously, his bat, ever since he went to the leadoff position, you see his confidence. I think on both sides of the ball, the confidence has been there, and his baserunning [has been good] as well. Overall, he can do it all, and it’s fun to watch him to play.”