Top prospect Abrams flashes leather in MLB debut

PHOENIX -- The Padres handed top prospect C.J. Abrams his Major League debut on Friday night -- and they did so by starting him at shortstop behind a left-handed sinkerballer.

That meant Abrams was going to be tested. He wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

"I always want all the action," said Abrams, who made five solid plays defensively, helping starter Sean Manaea to seven hitless innings and the Padres to a 3-0 victory over the D-backs at Chase Field.

Abrams, the No. 9 overall prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline, went hitless in four at-bats, though he just missed a home run in the sixth inning. But he still made his presence felt with his glove.

Abrams was tested right away, when D-backs leadoff man Cooper Hummel hit a grounder to Abrams' right in the top of the first inning. The 21-year-old went to his backhand and fired across the diamond, where Eric Hosmer made an excellent pick to record the out.

Abrams saved his best defensive gem for last. In the ninth, he ranged even further to his right and threw on the run from the outfield grass to nab Hummel again.

"He's just fearless," Hosmer said. "He showed it today. He had some great swings, just missed one, and played great defense. He was a big reason why we won the game."

That fearlessness was a major factor in Abrams’ ascension to the Opening Day roster. He was a longshot all offseason. But when X-rays revealed a fracture in Fernando Tatis Jr.’s left wrist, Abrams suddenly had a chance. He seized it.

Despite a track record of only 76 professional games, Abrams forced the Padres' hand with an excellent Spring Training. They had no choice but to include the 2019 first-round Draft pick on their Opening Day roster with the final infield spot.

After hitting into a fielder’s choice in his first at-bat in the second, Abrams appeared to have his first stolen base, but he slid past the bag and was ruled out. He grounded out in the fourth and eighth innings as well, but he sent a deep drive to the warning track off Oliver Pérez in the sixth. For a moment, he thought he might’ve notched his first hit and homer with one swing.

“I thought it was a possibility,” Abrams said. “I was a little bit out in front. But I squared it up pretty good.”

On Thursday, the lefty-hitting Abrams sat against D-backs southpaw Madison Bumgarner. Moving forward, it seems likely the Padres will continue with a similar time split. Ha-Seong Kim will start against most left-handers, while Abrams starts against righties.

As such, Abrams spent Thursday soaking in the sights and scenes of his first Major League Opening Day. He'd learned that he made the big league roster only 24 hours prior.

"It was amazing," Abrams said. "I've never really been a part of it. It was kind of new. I was just soaking everything in. It was a good experience.”

A day later, Abrams learned he was in the lineup when he arrived at Chase Field in the early afternoon. During his pregame stretch, he made sure to relish the moment.

"I just looked out, took it all in," Abrams said. "Then, after that, it was game time."