Adam Everett

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Houston Astros #25 prospect in 2003
  When the Astros acquired Everett from Boston in a December 1999 trade, they expected that he'd be their regular shortstop by now. He did win the job in spring training last year but couldn't hold it. He was farmed out three weeks into the season after batting .189, and didn't do much better when he got a second chance after Julio Lugo broke his left forearm. A 2000 U.S. Olympian, Everett had the best Triple-A performance of his career last year, but it was his third try at that level and little consolation. He can handle the bat and make contact, but his plate discipline has regressed and pitchers still get him out by pounding him inside with fastballs. Everett did improve working with New Orleans batting coach Gary Gaetti and spent the offseason trying to get stronger. Whether he'll ever hit enough remains in question. His defense is beyond reproach, however, as he has the complete package. If he could stay in the lineup, Everett would contend for Gold Gloves thanks to his range, arm, hands and instincts. The Astros were happy to learn he has an extra option remaining, and he'll return to Triple-A unless he impresses them with his bat in spring training.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #12 prospect in 2002
  The key player for the Astros when they traded Carl Everett to the Red Sox, Adam (no relation) has a good chance to win Houston's job in spring training. New manager Jimy Williams is expected to want defense from his shortstop, and incumbent Julio Lugo's glove isn't his strong suit. Everett, by contrast, might be the best defensive shortstop in the minors. His range, arm, hands and instincts are all assets and could lead to Gold Gloves in his future. He's also reliable and doesn't make careless errors. Everett's bat remains very much in question, however. He has yet to top .250 in two tries at Triple-A, and after batting .292 in the final two months of 2000 he regressed last year. Everett has some bat control and has begun using the opposite field more often, but he can be overpowered by good fastballs and chases sliders off the plate. One of his strengths had been drawing walks, but he did so much less frequently in 2001. He's also hard on himself, which just compounds his difficulties. Everett, the starting shortstop on the 2000 U.S. Olympic team, made an effort to get stronger over the winter and hit well during a brief stint in Venezuela. He also knows he needs to hit fewer fly balls and bunt more often to take advantage of his good speed.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #6 prospect in 2001
  Everett was the key player Houston received from Boston after it decided it couldn't afford Carl Everett (no relation). Just before making the trade, the Red Sox paid Everett $725,000 and put him on the major league roster, apparently as part of a side deal to defer part of his original $1.725 million signing bonus. Despite a lackluster Triple-A performance last year, Everett started for gold medal-winning Team USA at the Olympics, where he went 1-for-23. Rated the Triple-A Pacific Coast League's best defensive shortstop in 2000, Everett has Gold Glove tools. His range and arm are outstanding, and he has sure hands and keen instincts. Those who believe in him offensively envision him as a No. 2 hitter in a couple of years, based on his bat control, ability to draw walks and speed. He did bat .292 in his final two months in the PCL after a .215 start. Everett will have to get a lot stronger to become a No. 2 hitter, though, and several PCL managers think that projection is too optimistic. He can't handle inside fastballs, and he chases sliders off the plate. He has a little power, which can be a detriment because he hits too many fly balls. Everett's defense could be so overwhelming that he'll beat out Julio Lugo for Houston's shortstop job in spring training. He would be much better off working on his hitting in Triple-A.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #3 prospect in 1999
  Background: Many considered Everett the best middle infielder in the 1998 draft. He attended North Carolina State for one year before transferring to South Carolina, starting every game in his college career. Strengths: Everett is a terrific defender, with soft hands, plus range and a plus arm. He's a hard-nosed, blue-collar player--his favorite athlete is Ty Cobb--with great instincts and the speed to steal bases. Weaknesses: How good Everett becomes will depend on how much he hits. He has added strength in the past few years but still needs to get bigger and stronger, both to improve his offense and to help him handle the grind of professional ball. The Future: Some wondered why the Red Sox took Everett when they have Nomar Garciaparra, but he's both a safe pick--he'll get to the big leagues, barring injury--and one with a high ceiling. Everett and Nomar in the middle of the infield would be a good combination.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Pacific Coast League #14 prospect in 2000
  Everett was the key player from the Astros’ perspective when they sent Carl Everett to Boston in a cost-cutting trade last offseason. The Red Sox were set at shortstop with Nomar Garciaparra, and though they considered Everett a better defender, they were willing to part with him. Everett was easily the PCL's top defensive shortstop, and his glove earned him a starting job on the U.S. Olympic team. But while Houston has a huge void at short, he may not be ready to hit enough to fill it in 2001. Everett batted .215 in his first three months in the PCL before improving to .292 in July and August. He lacks strength and power, though he draws walks and handles the bat reasonably well. He’s a potential No. 2 hitter, though several managers think that’s a stretch. "He’s a definite big leaguer because he can really play defense," Albuquerque manager Tom Gamboa said. "The jury’s out on his bat. He has great makeup, but right now a big leaguer would knock the bat out of his hands. He has an outstanding arm, and he’ll play even without his bat."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #76 prospect in 2000

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Everett was the key player from the Astros’ perspective when they sent Carl Everett to Boston in a cost-cutting trade last offseason. The Red Sox were set at shortstop with Nomar Garciaparra, and though they considered Everett a better defender, they were willing to part with him. Everett was easily the PCL's top defensive shortstop, and his glove earned him a starting job on the U.S. Olympic team. But while Houston has a huge void at short, he may not be ready to hit enough to fill it in 2001. Everett batted .215 in his first three months in the PCL before improving to .292 in July and August. He lacks strength and power, though he draws walks and handles the bat reasonably well. He’s a potential No. 2 hitter, though several managers think that’s a stretch. "He’s a definite big leaguer because he can really play defense," Albuquerque manager Tom Gamboa said. "The jury’s out on his bat. He has great makeup, but right now a big leaguer would knock the bat out of his hands. He has an outstanding arm, and he’ll play even without his bat."