The biggest surprise, perhaps, of the Washington Nationals’ resurgent season? They have TWO All-Stars!
CJ Abrams was revealed as the voting winner for the National League’s shortstop spot on Saturday night’s All-Star Selection Show, and outfielder James Wood will join him in Philly as a reserve selected by the players.
"It's amazing,” Abrams told the media. “The fans have been out [to support us] every game, pretty much. We have been out there, kind of together. They bring the electricity and we've been getting the job done for them. Me and James go way back to San Diego. And now we’re over here doing our thing. It’s going to be fun.”
Abrams, who beat out Mookie Betts in Round 2 of the voting, is the first Nationals or Expos player to start an ASG at shortstop, and is Washington’s first position player elected by fans since Bryce Harper started the 2018 All-Star Game in D.C.
The 25-year-old, who was also an All-Star reserve in 2024, is in the midst of a career season, slashing .270/.350/.502 with 18 home runs, 60 RBI, 14 steals, 16 doubles, and 53 runs scored in 86 games through Saturday. He is on the verge of eclipsing his career highs in homers and RBI (20 and 65 in 2024) in the first half, and every part of his slash line would also end as a career high.
As for Wood, the 23-year-old makes his second straight All-Star appearance on the back of a .269/.393/.538 slash line with 23 homers, 56 RBI, 13 steals, and an NL-leading 68 walks in 90 games. He also leads all of MLB with 77 runs scored, and the NL with 186 total bases.
"I am super grateful for being able to stay healthy, and just having a good group of teammates and coaches around me helping me play at that level,” Wood said. “It's been recognized, so it's pretty cool. Last year I had MacKenzie [Gore] with me, this year I got CJ with me. Just going with a teammate is pretty dope."
The Nats entered play Sunday 46-44, three games back of a Wild Card spot, with seven games left to play before the break: Sunday’s series finale with Pittsburgh, three with Houston, and three with the Yankees.
Abrams voted in as a starter, Wood selected as a reserve
Abrams voted in as a starter, Wood selected as a reserve
