Russ Adams Stats & Scouting Report

AB	884
AVG	.247
OBP	.313
SLG	.372
HR	17

Full name Russ Moore Adams
Born 08/30/1980 in Laurinburg, NC
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School North Carolina
Debut 09/03/2004
Drafted in the 1st round (14th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2002 (signed for $1,785,000).

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There's nothing flashy about Adams, the Cape Cod League's top prospect last summer, and his overall tools don't quite compare to those of South Carolina's Drew Meyer. Yet Adams should be no worse than the second-highest college position player drafted, possibly going to the Athletics at No. 16. He's an instinctive player who fits perfectly into the leadoff role because he works counts, makes contact, steals bases and always plays hard. He has a line-drive swing and could have a little pop once he gets stronger. He has played mostly shortstop for the Tar Heels this year, also seeing time at second and third base, as well as right field. His arm is average and likely will lead to a shift to second base as a pro, and he's steady and has soft hands. He's similar to Chris Burke, the Tennessee shortstop whom the Astros drafted 10th overall in 2001. Burke was a step quicker and has more juice in his bat, but Adams bats lefthanded and both have great makeup.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Adams blazed through the Jays system, reaching Double-A in his first full season and the majors by the end of his second. He was selected for the 2004 Futures Game but missed it because of a ribcage injury. The day after he returned, he began a 16-game hitting streak. Adams employs a compact, line-drive stroke with quick hands. He profiles as a No. 2 hitter with gap power, and he has the ability to command the strike zone and make consistent contact. He has plus speed and keen baserunning ability. Defensively, he has soft hands, quick feet and improved range. Adams has below-average arm strength, but compensates with his positioning, reactions and release. He won't ever become a home run threat, though he finds the gaps with regularity. Playing shortstop on artificial turf will be a challenge for Adams, but Toronto likes the progress he has made in the field. He's similar offensively to the Orioles' Brian Roberts and is primed to take shortstop and the leadoff role in Toronto this spring. Aaron Hill could push Adams to second base in the future.
Adams is a quintessential "baseball player," a description that shortchanges his athletic ability. He went from solid college player to first-round pick with an all-star performance in the Cape Cod League in 2001, and he rose quickly to Double-A in his first full pro season. Adams is an above-average runner, has good range on either side of the bag and shows a knack for making consistent contact. He commands the strike zone well, then takes advantage of his good on-base percentage by being an efficient basestealer. He has good hands and quick feet defensively. Adams made 45 errors in 2003 between the regular season and Arizona Fall League. His throwing arm is below-average, and the extra depth needed to play shortstop on artificial turf could expose this shortcoming even more, making a move to second base probable. Neither Adams nor the organization has given up on him at shortstop, and his work ethic, instincts and hands may yet carry the day. He'll return to Double-A at Toronto's new New Hampshire affiliate.
A quarterback at the same rural North Carolina high school that produced Rockies infielder Brent Butler, Adams blossomed at North Carolina and in the Cape Cod League, where he was the top prospect in the summer of 2001. He overcame a hairline fracture in his left thumb to have an All-America season for the Tar Heels in 2002. One of the organization's top athletes, Adams has solid average to plus tools across the board, with the exception of power. He plays the game instinctively, especially on the basepaths, where he uses his above-average speed well. At the plate, he has good bat speed, the ability to center the ball well and excellent plate discipline. Adams doesn't hit for much power now, but it wouldn't surprise the Jays if he ended up hitting 10-15 homers annually down the road. Though his arm may not be enough to play shortstop on artificial turf, he's going to remain at the position until he proves he can't handle it. He wore down from a long season in 2002 and needs to get stronger. Adams got off to a fast start at short-season Auburn and should return to high Class A for his first full year. He has all the makings of being a leadoff or No. 2 hitter, and if the power develops could see time at third base as well as second.

Minor League Top Prospects

Adams reached the majors little more than two years after going 14th overall in the 2002 draft, taking over at shortstop for Toronto in September. Though he's more of a contact hitter, he homered in his first big league start. He saw a lot of time in the leadoff spot for the Blue Jays, but Adams fits better in the No. 2 slot. He hits for average but is so proficient at putting the ball in play that he doesn't draw a lot of walks. He runs wells and is an efficient if not prolific basestealer. Because he has a below-average arm, scouts have questioned Adams' ability to play shortstop in the big leagues even before he was drafted. He does cover more than enough ground and shows fine instincts and soft hands at short.
Three 2002 first-rounders played in the NY-P this summer. While Kazmir and Jamestown outfielder Jeremy Hermida didn't qualify for this list, Adams did and was the league's best middle infielder until Ramirez arrived. After signing quickly for $1.785 million as the 14th overall pick, Adams following up his All-America season at North Carolina with a strong pro debut. Adams fits the mold of the player Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi is looking for. He displayed outstanding control of the strike zone and is a constant threat on the bases with his speed and instincts. Ricciardi compared Adams to former A's shortstop Walt Weiss, another former Tar Heel, and sees him as Toronto's leadoff hitter of the future.