Happy to share some tidbits.
CJ wasn't getting much 'love' from major league scouts when he was a senior in high school...in fact he went un-drafted as they didn't think he had the right size for a first baseman. He enrolled at Miami and put together two great seasons, but still didn't seem to elicit any interest. That all changed when he excelled in the Cape Cod league, which is by invitation only. He was drafted in 2023, so it's only been two years from the minors to the majors.
While he's a first baseman, he's been playing a lot of right field in the Cleveland organization. He seems to have adjusted well...he's quick (he has 3 sb w/Cleveland), and has a strong arm (he was a pitcher in high school as well as playing first base). Cleveland somewhat showed their hand last week when they released veteran first baseman Carlos Santana. However, it would not surprise me if he becomes a full time right fielder.
Cleveland has worked to improve his bat speed, and that has really helped his power. He hit back to back grand slams (over two consecutive games) earlier this year at Columbus. He also hit a home run against Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer who was rehabbing in AAA.
One of the things I've noticed is that CJ, though a left handed hitter, can hit left handed pitching. I mentioned that to his dad and he said he always has. Finally, don't expect to see CJ wearing 63 next year. He told me he didn't select that number and is hoping to have a lower number next year. I think he'd like to wear '2' which was his number at Miami.
