2015/16: UR Position(s): Right Handed Pitcher
Level: AA Age: Entering Age 26 season in 2017.
Height: 6’2” Weight: 225 lb.
Fastball: 55 55
Slider: 65 70
Change: 45 50
Mechanics: 50 50
Command: 40 50
Control: 40 55
Overall: 40 60
Slider: 65 70
Change: 45 50
Mechanics: 50 50
Command: 40 50
Control: 40 55
Overall: 40 60
Floor: AAA Depth or long reliever. Ceiling: Very dynamic setup man.
Likely Outcome: A solid middle reliever.
Summary: Adams story is one that’s been told a thousand times. Great arm, great off-speed pitch, terrible control. Adam’s fastball hovers between 92-96 on any given night, but will typically sit 93-94. His slider is among the best in the system if not THE best in the Angels minor leagues. There’s decent snap, fall off the table break, and enough velocity to keep them honest. His change up is more of a show me pitch, but he does occasionally use it, and the change up does have some fade in on the hands of a lefty from what I can tell. His mechanics are simple, no deception. Here’s the ball, catch up with it if you can. It led to a very successful season in AA Arkansas. 41 innings, 61 strikeouts, and a 3.05 ERA. Had it not been for the unsightly 5.2 BB/9, it would have been a perfect season for Adams.
What to expect next season: Adams should be in AAA next year, after such a thoroughly dominant performance in AA. I don’t expect the angels will promote him until he gets a handle of his free passes. That sort of thing just does not fly in the majors. There’s also his command of the zone that needs to improve. A strike is a strike, but unless it’s well located, it will fly far away in the majors.
Estimated Time of Arrival: Late 2017, Adams’s age 26 season
Grade as a prospect: C: Projects to be a middle reliever.
Grades are given from the 20-80 scouting scale. 20-being non-existent ability, 80-being the best I’ve ever seen. MLB average is 50.
