James Adkins
| IP | 371 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.852 |
| WHIP | 1.59 |
| BB/9 | 4.73 |
| SO/9 | 7.011 |
- Full name James Edward Adkins
- Born 11/26/1985 in Nashville, TN
- Profile Ht.: 6'6" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: L
- School Tennessee
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Drafted in the C-A round (39th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007 (signed for $787,500).
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Adkins established himself as a weekend starter when, in his first turn in the Vols rotation as a freshman, he tossed seven strong innings against Oklahoma State. He has pitched well in showdowns with Arkansas' Nick Schmidt and Vandy's David Price, further bolstering a resume that includes a spot atop Tennessee's all-time strikeouts list. He had shoulder surgery to relieve an impingement before his sophomore season. Adkins is most comfortable pitching off his secondary stuff. He throws a hard slider at 79-82 mph as well as 76-78 mph curveball. He throws them both for strikes, mixing in a fringe-average fastball that sits at 87-90 mph and a rudimentary changeup. His plus command and feel for pitching make him a No. 5 starter candidate as a professional, and he should be drafted in the second or third round.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Signed for $787,500 in 2007 after becoming Tennessee's all-time strikeout leader, Adkins actually pitched better after a late-July promotion to Double-A in his first full pro season last year. Limited to short outings in his first pro season because of his heavy workload in college, he shied away from using his below-average fastball and as a result didn't throw enough strikes. His big 11-to-5 curve and slider both have a chance to become plus pitches. But Adkins is tall, awkward and unathletic. Comparable to Brian Tallet, Adkins needs to work on using his fastball, even though it has below-average 87-89 mph velocity, and commanding it in the strike zone. He just hasn't thrown enough fastballs to learn to command the pitch yet. He does throw downhill and earns high marks for his improved work habits and good competitiveness. With improved strength and endurance, Adkins profiles as a back-end starter in the Doug Davis mold. If that fails, his pair of breaking balls makes him a potential relief specialist. He's headed back to Double-A in 2009. -
After topping Tennessee's all-time strikeouts list during a terrific three-year career for the Vols, Adkins signed for a $787,500 bonus when the Dodgers made him the 39th overall pick last June. He had shoulder surgery to relieve an impingement before his sophomore season, but logged more than 120 innings as a junior and 350 in his career, one reason the Dodgers limited his outings to three innings or less last summer. Adkins' slider is on par with Greg Miller's as the best in the system. It ranges between 79-82 mph with depth and deception. It would grade as a plus pitch based on its shape alone, but Adkins' knack for spotting it anywhere he wants--in or out of the zone--in any count makes it even better. His 76-78 mph curveball has its moments as well, though it's less consistent. His fastball sits at 88 mph and bumps 91, but as he learns to pitch off his heater, he could add velocity. He also throws a fringe-average changeup. Adkins' arm works well, though he needs to stay online and could improve his extension. He could move quickly and profiles as a durable back-of-the-rotation starter. He could start the season in Double-A with a strong spring.
