C.J. Abrams is leaving no doubt in regards to who the best shortstop in the Majors is. However despite his success,  the Week 17 #HighFive leader and Major League leader in RBI is still seeing his name thrown around in trade discussions just days away from the August 3rd deadline.

1. C.J. Abrams

C.J. Abrams has been on a heater since returning from this year’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia.

More recently, over his last seven games, he is slashing .464/.516/.875 with three home runs, four steals and six RBIs, putting him above Yordan Alvarez who could possibly become the first player in 14 years to win a Triple Crown for the Major League lead.

Abrams, who has hits in 17 of the 21 games this month has been rumored to being connected to multiple contenders including the biggest rivals in the sport, the New York Yankees, who are still without Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton for the foreseeable future as well as the Boston Red Sox, who have completely turned their season around thanks in part to a historic 15-game winning streak in early July.

READ: James Wood & CJ Abrams: Washington Nationals Dynamic Duo Is Dominating

With the Nationals being just two games out of the final National League playoff spot, as well as them having the best offense in the Majors, I would be both shocked and disappointed if they moved on from Abrams and broke up one of the best young tandems in the sport with him and James Wood.

2. Drake Baldwin


Last year’s National League Rookie of The Year continues one of the best sophomore seasons in recent memory as he claims the two spot on our Week 17 #HighFive list.

READ: Drake Baldwin Continues to Prove He’s One of MLB’s Best Catchers

Drake Baldwin entered Thursday with hits in eight straight games, collecting multiple hits in six of those contests.

Had it not been for C.J. Abrams’ scorching July, he would probably be the front runner for National League Player of The Month after hitting .351 with a .460 OBP, six home runs and 17 RBIs.

 The top two players on our #HighFive will face each other in a four-game series that could have implications on becoming buyers or sellers beginning Thursday at Truist Park.

3. Braden Montgomery

The Chicago White Sox are taking the baseball world by storm and outfielder Braden Montgomery has played a huge role in their success since debuting in June.

READ: Future Chicago White Sox Star Braden Montgomery Is Tearing Up Minor League Pitching

Montgomery has been one of the best rookies in the Majors this month. Dating back to July 12, he leads all rookies in batting average, OBP, RBIs, total bases and sits second with a .545 slugging percentage.

He was also able to pull off a successful Bro-on-Bro crime this week when he robbed Houston Astros outfielder Lamonte Wade Jr. of a home run.

4. Taj Bradley

This week, we have a pitcher batting clean up as Taj Bradley gets the nod for the four spot on our Week 17 #HighFive. For the third time this month and ninth time in his career, Bradley recorded 10 strikeouts in a game.

This time, he did it in six innings while allowing two runs on two hits and three walks.

Taj Bradley Is Making A Case For Minnesota Twins Ace

Bradley had his best month of the year in July, finishing with a 2.92 ERA, .189 batting average against him and 1.05 WHIP which are all season lows.

5. Vaughn Grissom

Vaughn Grissom earns the final spot on our Week 17 #HighFive list as he was another member of the group to have his best month of the year during July.

A Resurrection With The Angels | Vaughn Grissom, Now Playing For His Third Team, Is Looking To Make An Impact

Grissom has collected hits in 10 of his last 12 games after the All-Star break, helping him reach a .338 average for the month with 16 RBIs, three home runs and four doubles. With the Los Angeles Angels appearing to be one of a handful of teams that are full-blown sellers, Grissom, who can play any position in the infield, may have turned himself into a desirable player for a contending team.