Prospect Profile: Ryan Adams

I like Ryan Adams, especially his bat - he's a fun guy to watch hit. I've seen him play a few times at Bowie, and he ripped the ball on those occasions... It's not a perfect comparison, but he reminds me of a guy like Freddy Sanchez from the Giants; not that athletic (almost awkward), but has a nice swing, doesn't get unbalanced at the plate, and can drive the ball a little bit - same kind of tweener 2B/3B. The kind of hitter who could lead the league in doubles if he can play enough defense to hold down a full time major league job...

A few things you might not have known about Orioles infield prospect, Ryan Adams:

• Was born in New Orleans, LA, on April 21st, 1987.
• 23 years old last season (2010), which is just about average for his level (AA).
• Stands 6'0", and is listed at 195 lbs (but looks shorter and stockier than that); he bats and throws righty.
• Was drafted (officially) as a 3rd baseman by the Orioles in the 2nd round of the 2006 draft, out of Jesuit High School in New Orleans.
• One famous alumni from that high school is former major league first baseman Will Clark, who hit .303 with 284 HR over 25 seasons with the Giants, Rangers, Orioles, and Cardinals.
• The pick with which the Orioles selected Adams (#14 is the 2nd round, 58th overall) was compensation from the Blue Jays for signing former Oriole reliever BJ Ryan.
• He was drafted 9 slots behind current Oriole RHP Chris Tillman, who was taken with the 5th pick in the 2nd round by the Seattle Mariners.
• Adams was signed by an Orioles' scout named Michael Tullier, for a bonus of $675,000.
• After being signed, the Orioles converted him into a second baseman, and he's played the majority of his games there since turning pro.
• He has showed solid command of the strike zone, and posted very solid walk rates in the low minors, but those have shrank some as he moved up the ladder. But he has consistently posted OBP's in the .350-.375 range.
• Doesn't have great speed, and isn't terribly athletic. Some scouting reports say that he ran better in high school, before he started having hamstring issues. Then bulked up, which cost him additional speed and flexibility. "Hits into more double plays than you would like, and strikes out a little too much."
• Confirmed that the power he showed at Low-A Delmarva in '08 wasn't a fluke, by posting a .298/.365/.464 line at Bowie (AA) in '10. That figure include 43 doubles and 15 HRs in a little less than 600 plate appearances.
• Ultimately projects as a gap hitter with line-drive power, with some home-run potential. His bat speed is only ordinary, but he uses a compact swing to drive the ball where it's pitched, and utilizes the whole field.
• His upside slash-line is probably somewhere in the neighborhood of .280/.340/.400.
• Defensively, he has decent actions and a nice first step, but below average range for a 2B, and sometimes gets unfocused... Probably projects more as a 3B, but might not have the bat to fill out the position.
• Was left exposed by the Orioles in the Rule 5 draft in December of 2010, but was not selected.
• Both John Sickels and Baseball America listed Adams as the team's 8th best prosect going into 2010; FanGraphs had him listed as #7.

The Orioles-Nation scouting report on Adams:

"Shaky on defense. Seems lost in the field at times and defense is still somewhat of a question mark. Strong, but inaccurate arm. A little slow on transfers, average range. His defense has come a long way and could play third in a pinch. Will have a lot of gap power but not a lot of home run pop. Good bat control. Makes hard contact and can hit to all fields. Projects as an average starter."

FanGraphs on Adams:

"... Adams had a solid offensive season in 2010 with a triple-slash line of .298/.365/.464 in 594 double-A at-bats. Adams his OK power (.166 ISO) for a second baseman but his power is below-average for the hot corner – and that is where he profiles best on defense. Adams also strikes out a little too much (22.8 K%) given his modest power output. There is a chance – although not great given his stature – that his solid gap power (43 doubles) could turn into more over-the-fence power. Adams has a very nice set-up at the plate. He has a well-balanced stance and a quick bat. His swing is nice and level and the bat carries well through the zone. The bat does get long at times. My one complaint would be that he carries his hands too low. Defensively, he doesn’t have the quickest feet but he has OK range. He’s definitely not the most athletic player at the keystone and I can understand why some see him as a third baseman."