Ryan Adams

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #23 prospect in 2012
  Adams didn't put together a great season in 2011, but he did make his major league debut and played through what he thought was a groin injury all year. Treatment didn't work and the pain got worse as the season went on until doctors discovered in September that he had a sports hernia. He had surgery to repair it and should be healthy for spring training. When healthy, Adams showed the Orioles what he always has shown them: a productive hitter who struggles to find a place to play defensively. He has a knack for making solid contact with some pop, though his swing can get long and he strikes out too much for his profile as an offensive second baseman. Despite his hard work, Adams still struggles to make the routine play at second, which managers simply won't tolerate and explains why he played sparingly in the big leagues. Adams doesn't have enough power for first base or left field, and he doesn't fit well as a utilityman because he can't play shortstop. He's passable at third base. His arm is average but he has below-average speed. Adams continues to work on his defense, and unless he wins a job out of spring training he'll go back to Triple-A and again try to hit enough for Baltimore to find a place for his bat.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #8 prospect in 2011
  Adams has had an up-and-down ride through the organization, balancing his offensive potential with injuries and questions about his approach. He hit a low point in 2009, missing two months with a groin injury and then getting suspended for disciplinary reasons for the final two weeks. He turned things around in 2010, making the Eastern League all-star team and leading the circuit in hits (158), doubles (43) and extra-base hits (58). Adams squares the ball up more consistently than any other hitter in the system, but he still hasn't found a position where he's serviceable. While he doesn't have great bat speed, he has a compact swing and gap power. He has improved his flexibility after bulking up too much when he entered pro ball, but he's still a below-average runner. He has a quick first step and decent defensive tools, but he's erratic at both second and third base. Some club officials think the faster action at the hot corner keeps him more focused. Adams is blocked by Brian Roberts at second base and Mark Reynolds and Josh Bell at third base. He'll go to spring training looking to win a job in Triple-A.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #26 prospect in 2010
  Adams put up the numbers to back up his projection as an offensive second baseman in 2008, but he followed it up with an injury-plagued 2009 season in which he was limited to 215 at-bats. He dealt with an abdominal strain and was bothered by a groin injury all year. He still has plenty of fans in the organization, though, who like his bat and all-around ability. Adams has strong hands at the plate, producing mostly doubles power. His plate discipline has improved consistently but still needs more work. He has solid speed and can steal an occasional base. Adams has backers who believe he can be a solid-average defender with good range, hands and arm strength at second base. But he struggles with his throwing, which could prompt a move to left field. Adams is a good athlete and an enthusiastic workout guy, though he may be wound too tight at this point. While he has been criticized for his mental approach in the past, he likes to work and takes instruction well. He'll probably return to high Class A to open the season, with some club officials predicting that 2010 will be his breakout year.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #28 prospect in 2009
  The Orioles drafted Adams as an offense-first middle infielder, but until 2008, he hadn't put up the numbers to back up that projection. In his first taste of full-season ball, he delivered by far the best offensive performance of his career. He showed good bat control and a knack for making solid contact, the ability to put a charge into the ball at times and even the speed to steal the occasional base. The problem has been defense. Adams made an astounding 52 errors last season, including 46 at second base. That gives him 70 in 187 career games there, so it might be time to try another position. The problem is that he hasn't shown much aptitude at shortstop or third base either, and he doesn't profile for an outfield corner with the bat. His arm is strong enough for short or third, but his footwork is lacking and his throws are erratic. Adams also has drawn criticism for an inconsistent mental approach and stubbornness in taking instruction in the past, but Baltimore was impressed with his makeup in 2008, as he continued to hit in spite of his defensive struggles. He'll move up to high Class A to open 2009, and the Orioles will continue to experiment with his position in spring training.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #11 prospect in 2007
  Adams led New Orleans' Jesuit High to the Louisiana 5-A state championship in 2005, and after the school was turned upside down by Hurricane Katrina, he returned last spring and got the team back to the state semifinals. He was regarded as a potential first-round talent, but repeated hamstring problems caused scouts to doubt his durability. The Orioles were able to get him in the second round and sign him for $675,000. His hamstrings bothered him again in August. Adams' bat is his best tool. He has a nice swing and a mature approach, showing a willingness to go the other way that's not common among younger hitters. He also stays on breaking balls better than most players his age and shows good patience at the plate. He's not a masher but should have gap power as he matures, and he has good handeye coordination after playing a lot of ping-pong growing up. The Orioles drafted five players who were high school shortstops, so they moved Adams to second base. That's a better fit for him anyway because of his range and his arm. With his approach and athleticism, Adams can be an offensive second baseman who can hit at the top of an order, but he'll have to prove he can stay healthy. He could open 2007 in low Class A.

• December, 2010 Scouting Report
  Adams has had an up-and-down ride through the organization, balancing his offensive potential with injuries and questions about his approach. He hit a low point in 2009, missing two months with a groin injury and then getting suspended for disciplinary reasons for the final two weeks. He turned things around in 2010, making the Eastern League all-star team and leading the circuit in hits (158), doubles (43) and extra-base hits (58). Adams squares the ball up more consistently than any other hitter in the system, but he still hasn't found a position where he's serviceable. While he doesn't have great bat speed, he has a compact swing and gap power. He has improved his flexibility after bulking up too much when he entered pro ball, but he's still a below-average runner. He has a quick first step and decent defensive tools, but he's erratic at both second and third base. Some club officials think the faster action at the hot corner keeps him more focused. Adams is blocked by Brian Roberts at second base and Mark Reynolds and Josh Bell at third base. He'll go to spring training looking to win a job in Triple-A.