Nationals’ CJ Abrams continues torrid July with Sunday’s 2-homer performance

After Sunday’s 10-7 win over the Diamondbacks, many Nationals congregated at a table in their home clubhouse.

James Wood and CJ Abrams weren’t at their stalls scrolling their phones after each recorded two home runs. The two were joined at the table by Drew Millas, Jacob Young, Andrew Alvarez and Miles Mikolas and his two kids as games of chess commenced while holiday music blared on the speakers as the team celebrated Christmas in July.

“They’re awesome,” manager Blake Butera said of his two stars. “I mean, I have nothing but incredible things to say about both of these guys ... about, honestly, everybody in our clubhouse. I say this a lot when I talk to other people around the game: It’s just how lucky and fortunate we are as a coaching staff to have this group that’s in this clubhouse [because it] doesn’t feel like there’s any egos.

“These guys want to work. They do everything you ask them to. They want to win, and they play their asses off every single night. I’m just very fortunate with this group.”

For as talented and high-profile as Wood and Abrams are, their low-key demeanor has been a benefit to the Nationals clubhouse. The two All-Stars shoulder a large burden, but they don’t feel the need to carry the team on a nightly basis, which alleviates the pressure on them and empowers the group as a whole.

But when Abrams and Wood are performing at near-MVP levels, it transforms the Nationals’ offense.

Abrams has hit seven homers since the All-Star break. He entered this season with trade rumors hovering over his head — and they will continue, barring a contract extension — but he’s producing at a critical juncture for the Nationals. Abrams broke Ian Desmond’s franchise record for homers in a season by a shortstop by clobbering his 26th in the third inning, and then he hit his 27th in the fifth.

“It means a lot,” Abrams said. “It shows that work that I put in pays off. Shoutout to everybody that’s been working with me.”

The Nationals (54-52) recorded 15 hits, and Wood became the second player in team history to record back-to-back 30-homer seasons (Adam Dunn).

Abrams’ first homer came in the third on an 0-2 curveball way below the strike zone against left-hander Kohl Drake. Butera said he talked with Abrams when the shortstop was standing on the dugout steps and told him, “That might’ve been the most impressive home run I’ve ever seen you hit.” Abrams is a special talent, and sometimes that raw ability is enough to overcome a bad process.

“Not sure how I got to scoop that one out of there,” Abrams said.

Abrams is arguably producing the best offensive season by a shortstop in Nationals history. His dedication to his body and simplified offensive approach have allowed him to showcase the talent that made him a top prospect.

As the Aug. 3 trade deadline nears, Abrams has likely played his way out of any trade, showing a second-half slump like those that have plagued him in the past isn’t imminent. Since the All-Star break, Abrams leads the majors in homers and RBIs (15).

“It’s fun to watch,” Wood said. “It feels like every at-bat he’s going to do something special.”

That’s strong praise coming from Wood, who himself is playing like an MVP candidate. He even jokingly told his fellow All-Star to slow down as Abrams is creeping up on Wood’s team lead.

“Then I hit one, and then he hit another one,” Wood said, “so I was like, ‘dang, all right.’”

Dealing Abrams would be a blow to a fanbase that has seen a litany of superstars traded and a clubhouse that has cultivated a belief in itself rooted in dedication to the fundamentals. Abrams has two more years of team control, so the Nationals don’t have to act quickly, as they do with Foster Griffin, who’s on an expiring contract.

Abrams leads major league shortstops in homers, RBIs (78), slugging percentage (.566) and weighted runs created plus (152) — the league average for wRC+ is 100.

He and Wood are selfless superstars, which bleeds throughout the clubhouse. Butera said managing them has exceeded his expectations.

Prying Abrams away from Washington is only increasing in difficulty with each brilliant offensive performance. It’ll likely take a significant prospect haul for president of baseball operations Paul Toboni, who doesn’t strictly adhere to spreadsheets, to move his All-Star shortstop.

Behind Abrams and Wood’s stellar offensive seasons, the Nationals have remained in the wild-card race far longer than many people predicted. Their production was partly why Toboni addressed their pitching deficiencies by executing a shocking deal to acquire left-hander Connelly Early from Boston in what was a difficult decision because the team had to part with Curtis Mead.

“I think we all know we need pitching,” Butera said pregame. “Hopefully when Connelly gets back from the IL he can slide right in there and help us win games.”

In lieu of Mead, Brady House knocked two doubles in his return to the majors. Dylan Crews posted a three-hit day.

“These guys believe in one another,” Butera said. “They don’t feel like it’s one singular person that’s driving this thing. They feel like it’s a collective effort. We’re really sad to see Curtis leave, but it opens up opportunity and that’s what these guys know. That’s what they’ve been made very well aware of, and we got to keep the train rolling.”

The offense has been one of the best in baseball because Abrams and Wood are playing like superstars. But it’s the contributions throughout the lineup that have them in the playoff race.

“It’s just been a lot of guys who’ve been stepping up to the table,” Wood said. “I mean Brady today coming in [on] who knows how much sleep he got last night coming in from Rochester and getting a bunch of big hits today. It never feels like it’s one person is doing all the lifting. It feels like it’s every night.”

This article has been updated.