‘I want to play -- bad’: Padres’ top prospect impressing after injury struggles in '21

PEORIA, Ariz. -- CJ Abrams' 2021 season ended earlier than he'd hoped, and his wait to return to the field lasted longer than he'd hoped.

But, make no mistake, Abrams is back. And the Padres ' No. 1 prospect doesn't appear to have missed a beat.

Abrams has been an early standout at Padres Minor League camp this spring -- which, considering his standing as one of the sport's best prospects, probably shouldn’t come as a surprise. Ranked No. 6 overall by MLB Pipeline, Abrams could be on the verge of a big league breakthrough this season.

The 21-year-old speedster missed the final three months of the 2021 season with a fractured left tibia and MCL sprain that he sustained in a collision on the basepaths at Double-A San Antonio. He was supposed to return during the Arizona Fall League but dealt with some shoulder trouble. The Padres didn't see any benefit in pushing Abrams to return for a couple weeks of action, so they shut him down.

"Sitting out during the season was probably the hardest part," Abrams said. "I want to play -- bad. But you can't. That was the hardest part. But it was all good, a good recovery."

Abrams estimates that he's been fully recovered for several months now. His father bought a blow-up batting cage that occupies half the Abrams' backyard in his native Georgia, and Abrams has regained his timing by hitting off a machine in that cage.

The Padres also came away impressed with Abrams' physical development. He added notable muscle during the offseason, and they're seeing it pay dividends immediately.

"He's getting more physical, adding weight," farm director Ryley Westman said. "Speed times, strength numbers, everything's going up.

"His bat-to-ball has been awesome, always. But now, it's contact with strength behind it. ... There's more carry to it. Some of that stuff. It can look pretty but it's just a fly out. Now, he's over here on Field 3, and the balls are leaving the yard. Honestly, he's just physically maturing."

Abrams' path to the big leagues isn't quite a straightforward one. He's a shortstop who plays some second base. The Padres, of course, had a pair of All-Stars up the middle last season in Jake Cronenworth and Fernando Tatis Jr.

A move to the outfield, perhaps center, has long been speculated. In reality, Abrams' elite quickness and defensive instincts would probably work anywhere.

For his part, he's open to all of it. Abrams has mostly taken reps at shortstop this spring with some second base action sprinkled in. As for the outfield, he’ll shag fly balls occasionally but he isn’t doing any drill work there.

"I haven't," Abrams said. "But if I'm needed, I will."

For now, the Padres want Abrams' focus locked in at shortstop. He's always been rangy, but his glovework has improved significantly over the last couple years.

"Being able to secure the ball and getting to balls with his range -- when the ball touches his glove, he's fielding it," Westman said. "Now, it's -- let's complete these plays with throws with his arm strength. He gets to a ton of stuff."

Abrams, it seems, has that rarest of combinations: He's a truly elite athlete, with the diligence and work ethic to tap into every bit of those athletic skills.

"I'm paying attention to detail in practice," Abrams said. "You pay attention to detail, the results will come."

Perhaps, sooner than later, those results will come in the big leagues.