Willy Adames

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #2 prospect in 2018
  Adames made the jump to Triple-A Durham in 2017 and looked every bit the top prospect he showed at Double-A the year before. Ranked as the International League's fifth-best prospect, the Dominican shortstop struggled to a .230/.309/.344 slash through May before making a stance adjustment and rebounded to hit .303/.389/.455 over the final three months. Adames has been considered a premier defensive shortstop since the Rays acquired him for his projectable body and mature approach in the David Price trade with the Tigers in 2014. His arm strength has increased over the past two seasons, and he displays excellent first-step quickness, plus range and soft hands. He's an ideal No. 2 hitter, and his bat has developed with his loose and easy swing. He narrowed his stance in 2017 to stay short to the ball and prevent over-striding. He has a solid feel for the strike zone, sees the ball early, and drives pitches consistently with some pop at the plate. Adames is an average runner with good instincts. The Rays acquired Adeiny Hechavarria in 2017 as a placeholder because the organization did not want to rush Adames, who proceeded to win an International League title and the Triple-A Championship at Durham. With his tutelage nearly complete, Adames is in position to take over as the Rays starting shortstop in 2018.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #1 prospect in 2017
  The Rays' 2014 trade of David Price signaled a transition from one era to another, as the organization soon saw a change of management and leadership in the baseball operations department. Adames, the lone prospect acquired in the Price trade, has since established himself as the Rays' top prospect, and he's put himself in the discussion among the best position prospects in baseball. Signed as an international free agent by the Tigers for $420,000 in 2012, Adames advanced through the low minors rapidly. The Tigers skipped him past their domestic Rookie-level affiliates and assigned him to low Class A West Michigan for his U.S. debut as an 18-year-old in 2014. After heading to the Rays as the centerpiece of the Price trade, Adames hit the ground running, and he's made steady progress and adjustments as he's climbed the minor league ladder. He reached Double-A Montgomery in 2016 and led the Southern League with 74 walks and ranked third with 31 doubles. He led all SL shortstops with 11 home runs and earned a spot in the Futures Game. In 2014, Adames showed power to his pull side and the ability to drive the ball to the wall in center field. His power has steadily developed as he's matured physically, and in 2016 he showed the ability to drive the ball out to the opposite field in game situations. Offensively, Adames earns plus grades for his hit tool and raw power, though scouts see his power playing more in the way of hard line drives, with annual home run total projections ranging from 15-25. He has above-average bat speed and the loose wrists to control the barrel, make late adjustments and square up pitches with late movement. He shows both the ability to stay inside the ball and to turn on inside pitches. He works deep counts and isn't afraid of hitting with two strikes. Adames' timing at the plate has improved from year to year, and his strikeout rate declined to 21 percent in 2016, down from 27 percent in 2015. Defensively, he continued to endear himself to scouts in 2016. Adames has plus hands and a well-timed internal clock, and he doesn't rush plays or play nervously in the field. He lacks exceptional range and explosive foot speed, and he's more of an average runner on the basepaths, but his pure arm strength typically plays above-average. He has an ability to get his feet set and make accurate throws consistently, though he can flash plus arm strength when needed. In addition to his well-rounded assortment of tools, Adames has exceptional makeup, both in terms of his work ethic and character. He quickly achieved fluency in English and connects well with American players as well as other Latin Americans. Rays officials laud his leadership ability and enthusiasm for game-day preparation. Overall, Adames has the total package that teams look for in top prospects, with impact tools on both sides of the ball and the personality to become a marketable franchise player. In 2017, Adames figures to spend the season at Triple-A Durham. He projects as the Rays' shortstop of the future, with the ability to hit somewhere in the middle of the lineup.
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #2 prospect in 2016
  Adames was the only prospect the Rays acquired when they traded David Price to the Tigers in July 2014. At the time, he was an 18-year-old at low Class A, having made the jump directly from the Dominican Summer League in 2013. The Rays advanced him one level to high Class A Charlotte in 2015, where he got off to a hot start before suffering a bone bruise in his elbow. In his first full season with the Rays, Adames endeared himself to the organization with an exciting blend of tools and personality. Scouts are mixed on his ceiling, expressing some uncertainty as to where he projects to land defensively. He made notable improvements in the dirt in 2015, improving his body control and showing promising actions. Scouts agree that his plus arm strength fits on the left side of the infield, but some wonder if physically maturity will slow Adames down and push him to second or third base. Offensively, he has quick hands and shows the ability to generate consistent backspin, though he has some swing-and-miss to his game. He shows in-game power to the gaps right now, and projects to develop above-average power. Adames is poised for Double-A Montgomery in 2016, a test that should be telling for the 20-year-old as he makes adjustments against more advanced pitchers.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #1 prospect in 2015
  Adames was at a workout at the Tigers' Dominican complex before signing and wound up facing then-Detroit closer Jose Valverde after volunteering to jump into the batter's box. That willingness to challenge himself and ability to relish big situations helped him have a smashing first season in the U.S. Adames, Detroit's top international signing in 2012 for $420,000, ranked as the Tigers' No. 30 prospect after his Dominican Summer League debut in 2013, then jumped to the low Class A Midwest League and had a successful offensive season. After a strong first half, he became a key piece in the Rays' haul for David Price, a deal that also included big league lefthander Drew Smyly and infielder Nick Franklin. He received rave reviews in his new organization after shifting teams but staying in the same league. Adames gives the Rays an athletic infielder who can hit. He possesses the overall package of impressive makeup and a deep set of tools. He already speaks English well and wants to improve. He also displays true passion for the game and is willing to work. Adames has good strike-zone discipline for such a young player and isn't afraid to work deep counts, which leads to walks but also some strikeouts. He generates above-average bat speed and has surprising power for his size; Tigers scouts still talk about long home runs he hit against the Cubs during the 2013 DSL playoffs. Some scouts project him to hit for above-average power, up to 20 home runs, as he matures. He ranked second in the Midwest League in triples due mostly to his power to the gaps, not his speed. He does an excellent job of driving the ball to the opposite field, and the ball tends to stay on his bat a long time. Adames' feet and hands work well on defense with solid first-step quickness despite only average running speed. His range is solid average at shortstop, although some scouts question how long he will remain at the position and see him having to move to second or third base. His arm strength rates above-average with good accuracy. Adames' body is rangy now, but some scouts are concerned he'll fill out and outgrow shortstop. He has some experience playing third base in the DSL, and that's his more likely destination if he does move. The Rays have significant depth at shortstop, with Hak-Ju Lee and Tim Beckham at Triple-A and Jake Hager at Double-A. They will be patient with Adames, so he'll likely open the 2015 season at high Class A Charlotte. But he's already shown he is prone to accelerating timetables by putting up big numbers considering his age and the pitcherfriendly MWL in his domestic debut. If Adames can stick at short and fulfill his power potential, he could become a future all-star.
• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #30 prospect in 2014
  Detroit's two big signings from the 2012 international signing period were Adames and fellow Dominican shortstop Domingo Leyba. Signed for $420,000, Adames was the Tigers' most expensive international signing that year, and while he didn't match Leyba's sparkling 2013 debut in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, there were plenty of promising signs in his first season. Adames lacks Leyba's all-around baseball instincts and knack for making contact, but Adames is a better athlete and a more physical player. He still is ironing out his swing to hit for a higher average, but he has a very patient approach, evidenced by him drawing the second-most walks (56) in the DSL. He has gap power presently, with the size and bat speed to project for more once he adds size and strength. He's around an average runner and is raw as a baserunner. Adames got most of his repetitions at shortstop, occasionally playing third base, and showed good hands and a strong arm, though like many young infielders he still needs to cut down on mistakes. Adding size could be a double-edged sword for Adames, as it should help his power but could push him to third base. He should head to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2014.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #3 prospect in 2018
  Adames returned to the IL for the second straight year and looked for the most part like he was on cruise control to the major leagues. His first big league callup finally came on May 22 and was delayed that long mostly to delay his arbitration eligibility. Adames returned to Durham briefly, but was called back up to the Rays on June 11 and remained in the majors to stay. “Willy did everything he needed to do,” Durham manager Jared Sandberg said. “He just kept doing those things, and he’ll give you good at-bats.” Adames’ enthusiasm and energy are reliable. He has enough athletic ability and an impressive arm to overcome youthful snags in the field. He again showed advanced hitting ability and the promise of power in Triple-A, though it had not fully manifested in the majors.
• 
  Ranked International League #5 prospect in 2017
  Adames advanced to Triple-A and produced a near carbon copy of his 2016 season in Double-A, with similar rates for strikeouts, walks and power production. Adames got out of the gate cold by hitting .230 with a .653 OPS through May before shortening his stance to avoid lunging. From June 1 to the end, he hit .303/.389/.455 with eight of his 10 home runs. Adames doesn't stand out for his power or speed--both are fringe-average to average--but his hitting approach and defensive ability should allow him to be a dynamic player. The best defensive shortstop with the best infield arm in the IL, Adames will be a plus defender in the majors, according to evaluators. His arm flashes plus and his infield actions and coachability are separators.
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  Ranked Southern League #2 prospect in 2016
  The Rays targeted Adames when they traded David Price to the Tigers in July 2014, and the physical, young shortstop has exceeded expectations for Tampa Bay while batting in the middle of the order and handling tough assignments to the Florida State and Southern leagues the past two seasons. This year he led the SL with 74 walks and 89 runs, while ranking third in doubles (31) and fifth in on-base percentage (.372) and slugging (.430). No player in the SL has a higher offensive ceiling than Adames, who most scouts regard as having the potential for a plus bat with plus power. He improved his walk and strikeout rates dramatically in 2016, while also upping his power production. He tends to pull most of his home runs now, but he also can drive the ball the other way, which portends good things for his future home-run totals. With a more compact swing, Adames should be able to get on top of more high fastballs. He rounds out his offensive game with solid-average speed and sharp baserunning instincts. While he is bigger than the average shortstop, Adames is light on his feet and projects to stay at the position with average range and plus arm strength that will play along the lines big-bodied shortstops Carlos Correa, Manny Machado or Corey Seager
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  Ranked Florida State League #4 prospect in 2015
  Befitting a player his age, Adames wasn't the FSL's most consistent hitter, but at his best he was among its best prospects before a bruise in his elbow prompted him to be shut down in August. He exhibited toughness by playing through the injury, which impressed his own manager, Michael Johns, who hit Adames third all season despite his youth. Adames has easy gap power and natural timing at the plate that helps him square up good pitches. Scouts see more home runs in the future as he matures physically and learns what pitches he can drive. He has swing-and-miss issues that most attribute to his inexperience and to being pitched tough as a three-hole hitter and seeing a ton of offspeed stuff. Adames may be a step slow for shortstop long-term, though his first-step quickness and improved transfer (simply getting the ball out of his glove) improved this season. He has the arm strength to move to third base and the body control to handle second base.
• 
  Ranked Midwest League #5 prospect in 2014
  Adames' profile jumped immensely thanks to a deadline day trade that saw him go from the Tigers to the Rays in the three-team David Price deal. While Adames' name would have gone largely unnoticed 20 years ago, he was seen by many as the hidden gem that explained what otherwise seemed to some like a light haul for Tampa Bay. Adames' turned in an impressive season for an 18-year-old, especially when you consider that West Michigan is a difficult park for hitters. Most scouts and managers saw an excellent athlete who has a chance to stick as an offensive shortstop with just enough range and an above-average arm. Adames has advanced contact skills for his age with developing power. Some scouts think that Adames will have to slide to second or third base eventually.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #19 prospect in 2018
• Ranked Baseball America's #10 prospect in 2017
• Ranked Baseball America's #46 prospect in 2016
• Ranked Baseball America's #84 prospect in 2015

• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Adames was the gem of the trade that shipped lefthander David Price from Tampa Bay to Detroit, and this season he’s begun paying off on the Rays’ investment. He homered off of Chris Sale in his first major league game—up from Triple-A to fill in for Joey Wendle—before coming up for a longer stint a few weeks later. He’s got the tools to be a major league shortstop but needs to cull the silly mistakes from his game. Adames has well above-average bat speed and the feel to hit for both average and power at his peak. He could be an all-star in the coming years.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: The Rays' 2014 trade of David Price signaled a transition from one era to another, as the organization soon saw a change of management and leadership in the baseball operations department. Adames, the lone prospect acquired in the Price trade, has since established himself as the Rays' top prospect, and he's put himself in the discussion among the best position prospects in baseball. Signed as an international free agent by the Tigers for $420,000 in 2012, Adames advanced through the low minors rapidly. The Tigers skipped him past their domestic Rookie-level affiliates and assigned him to low Class A West Michigan for his U.S. debut as an 18-year-old in 2014. After heading to the Rays as the centerpiece of the Price trade, Adames hit the ground running, and he's made steady progress and adjustments as he's climbed the minor league ladder. He reached Double-A Montgomery in 2016 and led the Southern League with 74 walks and ranked third with 31 doubles. He led all SL shortstops with 11 home runs. Scouting Report: In 2014, Adames showed power to his pull side and the ability to drive the ball to the wall in center field. His power has steadily developed as he's matured physically, and in 2016 he showed the ability to drive the ball out to the opposite field in game situations. Offensively, Adames earns plus grades for his hit tool and raw power, though scouts see his power playing more in the way of hard line drives, with annual home run total projections ranging from 15-25. He has above-average bat speed and the loose wrists to control the barrel, make late adjustments and square up pitches with late movement. He shows both the ability to stay inside the ball and to turn on inside pitches. He works deep counts and isn't afraid of hitting with two strikes. Adames' timing at the plate has improved from year to year, and his strikeout rate declined to 21 percent in 2016, down from 27 percent in 2015. Defensively, he continued to endear himself to scouts in 2016. Adames has plus hands and a well-timed internal clock, and he doesn't rush plays or play nervously in the field. He lacks exceptional range and explosive foot speed, and he's more of an average runner on the basepaths, but his pure arm strength typically plays above-average. He has an ability to get his feet set and make accurate throws consistently, though he can flash plus arm strength when needed. In addition to his well-rounded assortment of tools, Adames has exceptional makeup, both in terms of his work ethic and character. He quickly achieved fluency in English and connects well with American players as well as other Latin Americans. Rays officials laud his leadership ability and enthusiasm for game-day preparation. The Future: Overall, Adames has the total package that teams look for in top prospects, with impact tools on both sides of the ball and the personality to become a marketable franchise player. In 2017, Adames figures to spend the season at Triple-A Durham. He projects as the Rays' shortstop of the future, with the ability to hit somewhere in the middle of the lineup.