Seaver

King

Butera highlighted Abrams’ strong play at shortstop recently as a motivating factor behind the decision to reverse course on their original plan. There’s a chance the Nationals bring up top prospect Seaver King when rosters expand later this week, which would further complicate the equation. Regardless, it sounds like the club is slowly backing away from a permanent move off the position for Abrams, which is going to be a variable to monitor during the offseason and spring training.

Abrams takes a seat for the third consecutive game as he continues to deal with a sprained left ankle that he suffered earlier this week. The 25-year-old fantasy standout is expected to make the gradual transition to second base during the final few weeks of the season with Nasim Nuñez taking over temporarily until sizzling-hot top prospect Seaver King, who has homered eight times in 16 games since the start of August, is ready to take over the position. He figures to be ready the moment rosters expand in September, which makes him a worthwhile stash in deeper mixed leagues. The Nationals also have intriguing infield prospect Devin Fitz-Gerald, who came over in the MacKenzie Gore trade last offseason, making noise in the upper minors as well.

He also, notably, played third base. Perhaps that opens a September call-up pathway for King, who has homered in 6-of-10 contests for Rochester and is currently hitting .375/.467/.719 since returning from an oblique strain on July 30.

That’s four homers in eight games for King, and he’s 20-for-55 with a 14/8 K/BB in 14 games since returning from an oblique strain. That the Nationals are moving CJ Abrams to second base clears to the way for King to take over shortstop as soon as the Nationals think the 2024 first-round pick is ready. It might not happen until next year, but he’s making a case.

King is hitting .284/.361/.469 in 41 games at Triple-A with seven home runs, 29 RBI, and four steals. With CJ Abrams continuing to struggle defensively at shortstop, it’s fair to wonder if the Nationals would consider a position change in the offseason to ensure a place for King in the 2027 lineup.

King was the Nationals’ first-round pick in 2024 and began the season with a blistering start in Double-A, hitting .336/.427/.562 with five homers and five steals in 35 games. He was then promoted to Triple-A, where he has hit .275/.338/.443 with five home runs and four steals in 33 games. King played some second base this year but is primarily playing shortstop, which will create some questions about how the team can make room for him if they want him in the lineup in 2027. For now, the team doesn’t believe his oblique injury is serious, and they hope it will only keep him out for a few weeks.

King was batting .336/.427/.562 with five homers and five steals for Harrisburg. Exclusively a shortstop previously, he’s played five of his 35 games at second base. If he starts seeing more time at the keystone, that could be a sign that the Nationals plan to give him a look over Nasim Nuñez at some point. Shortstop might also be a possibility if they decide to trade CJ Abrams before the deadline, though such a move seems less likely than it did a few months ago.

Gott, Lipscomb, and Mervis all have prior MLB experience but were unable to win an Opening Day job with the Nationals. As a 33-year-old veteran, Gott has no more minor league options remaining, so it remains to be seen where he goes from here. Seaver King is the Nationals’ 5th-ranked prospect and is coming off a strong Arizona Fall League season. He was 6-for-16 in MLB spring training with five singles and a stolen base, and he will now either head to Double-A or Triple-A to try and continue his strong run of production.

King, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, hit .359/.468/.563 line with three homers, a 15/11 BB/K ratio, and 11 steals over 18 games in the AFL. The 22-year-old had a down season in 2025, but looks to have figured things out towards the end of the season and in Arizona. He’ll likely start the year in Double-A with the chance to get promoted if he continues playing like this.

Valdez has been the talk of the desert this fall, slashing .370/.519/.870 with eight homers and 26 RBI across 18 games. The 21-year-old slugger’s emergence gives the Pirates another potential high-impact bat to pair with blue-chip prospects Konnor Griffin and Edward Florentino, who will enter next season among the top-ranked talents in baseball. Here’s the full lineup: Nick Morabito (CF), Seaver King (2B), Parks Harber (1B), Valdez (RF), Owen Ayers (C), Nacho Alvarez Jr. (3B), Chris Suero (DH), Starlyn Caba (SS) Josh Adamczewski (LF) and Karson Milbrandt (P).