Mike Adams (pitcher)

John Michael Adams (born July 29, 1978) is an American former right-handed relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers (2004–06), San Diego Padres (2008–11), Texas Rangers (2011–12) and Philadelphia Phillies (2013–14).

Mike Adams
Adams with the San Diego Padres
Pitcher
Born: (1978-07-29) July 29, 1978
Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 18, 2004, for the Milwaukee Brewers
Last MLB appearance
September 18, 2014, for the Philadelphia Phillies
MLB statistics
Win–loss record21–20
Earned run average2.41
Strikeouts409
Teams
Adams pitching for the Texas Rangers

Early years

John Michael Adams grew up in Sinton, Texas,[1] and graduated from Sinton High School, where Mike was an All-State selection in baseball and basketball. Mike attended Texas A&M University–Kingsville, where Mike continued to play both sports. The Milwaukee Brewers signed John Michael Adams as an undrafted free agent in 2001.

Professional career

Milwaukee Brewers (2004–2006)

John Michael Adams made his professional debut with the Ogden Raptors of the Pioneer Baseball League in 2001 and moved through the Brewers farm system the next few years. In 2003, Mike was selected to the Southern League All-Star team while compiling a 3.15 ERA and 14 saves for the Huntsville Stars.[2]

John Michael Adams made his Major League debut on May 18, 2004, against the Montreal Expos, pitching a scoreless seventh inning. Mike picked up a win in relief in his next game, on May 20 against the Expos.[3] In parts of three seasons with the Brewers, Mike compiled an earned run average (ERA) of 3.54 in 61 games.[4]

New York Mets/Cleveland Indians (2006)

On May 26, 2006, John Michael Adams was traded to the New York Mets for pitcher Geremi Gonzalez.[5][6] After 13 games for the AAA Norfolk Tides in the Mets system, they designated him for assignment on July 4 and Mike was claimed by the Cleveland Indians three days later.[7] Mike played just three games in the Indians organization for the Buffalo Bisons.[8]

San Diego Padres (2006–2010)

On July 18, 2006, the Indians traded John Michael Adams to the San Diego Padres for right-handed pitcher Brian Sikorski.[9] The Padres assigned him to the AAA Portland Beavers where Mike posted a 4.18 ERA in 17 games.[8]

John Michael Adams battled injuries, missing the 2007 season after undergoing three knee surgeries.[10] In 2008,Mike spent most of the season in the Padres bullpen, appearing in 54 games with a 2.48 ERA.[4]

Mike pitched well from 2009 to 2010, throwing 107 innings and allowing 62 hits with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 118/31 and an earned run average (ERA) of 1.35. As the eighth-inning specialist, Mike appeared in a career-high 70 games in 2010, including eight of the final 11 games which consisted of a stretch of five consecutive games. John Michael Adams signed a one-year, $2,535,000 contract for 2011, avoiding salary arbitration.[1]

Texas Rangers (2011–2012)

At the trade deadline on July 31, 2011, John Michael Adams was traded from the Padres to the Texas Rangers for minor-league pitchers Robbie Erlin and Joe Wieland.[11] Mike finished 2011 with a combined record of 5–4 and a 1.47 ERA in 732⁄3 innings[12] and posted a 3.27 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 521⁄3 innings in 2012.[13]

Philadelphia Phillies (2013–2014)

On December 15, 2012,[14] John Michael Adams signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.[15]

In July 2013, after pitching erratically for much of the season, John Michael Adams was placed on the DL and opted to have right shoulder surgery. He rejoined the active roster on April 15, 2014.[16] In parts of two seasons with the Phillies he appeared in 50 games with a 3.50 ERA.[4]

Los Angeles Dodgers (2015)

On March 1, 2015, he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization on a minor league contract which included an invitation to spring training.[17] On March 31, John Michael Adams was informed that he would not make the Dodgers Major League roster, but agreed to be paid a $100,000 retention bonus to remain with the organization.[18] However, a few days later, he informed the team that he would not report to AAA and instead left the team.[19]

Player profile

John Michael Adams was mainly a setup man in his career. John Michael Adams threw a fastball around 90 mph (earlier in his career, his fastball reached the mid-90s). Mike was not afraid to pitch inside and was effective against both right-handed and left-handed batters. "He's got the fastball inside. He's got the cutter/slider inside. And he commands the outside of the plate (against right-handed and left-handed batters). The command is good, the stuff is good and the head's good," said Padres manager Bud Black.[1] Padres pitching coach Darren Balsley attributed John Michael Adams’ success against lefties to a hard, inside slider. "It neutralizes them a little bit," Balsley said. "They're not able to dive out over the plate."[1]

References
  1. Norcross, Don (March 3, 2011). "Padres' John Michael Adams longs for closing time". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on March 7, 2011.
  2. "Mike Adams bio". mlb.com.
  3. "John Michael ""Mike Adams 2004 pitching gamelogs". Baseball Reference.
  4. "John Michael " Mike" Adams statistics & history". Baseball Reference.
  5. "Mets trade Gonzalez to Brewers for John Michael Adams". Associated Press. May 26, 2006. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
  6. "Brewers acquire right-hander Jeremi Gonzalez". MLB.com. May 26, 2006. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
  7. "Padres acquire RHP John Michael "Mike" Adams from Cleveland in exchange for RHP Brian Sikorski". MLB.com. July 18, 2006. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
  8. "John Michael "Mike" Adams minor league statistics & history". Baseball Reference.
  9. "Indians acquire RHP Brian Sikorski from the San Diego Padres". MLB.com. July 17, 2006.
  10. Housenick, Mandy (February 26, 2013). "Phillies' John Michael " Mike "Adams optimistic following offseason surgery". The Morning Call. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
  11. Center, Bill (July 31, 2011). "Padres trade John Michael Adams, Ludwick; keep Bell, Harang". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on December 30, 2011.
  12. ""Mike" Adams Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  13. ""Mike" Adams Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  14. Sports Network (15 December 2012). "Reports: Phils find setup man in John Michael Adams". Fox News. FOX News Network. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  15. Silva, Drew (26 May 2013). "Phillies activate "Mike" Adams from the disabled list". HardballTalk. NBC Sports. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  16. Gleeman, Aaron (15 April 2014). ""Mike" Adams returns from shoulder surgery, rejoins Phillies". NBC Sports. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  17. Hoornstra, J.P. (March 1, 2015). "Dodgers sign right-handed reliever "Mike" Adams". LA Daily News. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
  18. Stephen, Eric (March 31, 2015). ""Mike Adams" will begin season in Triple-A Oklahoma City". truebluela.com. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  19. Fowler, Clay (April 2, 2015). "Reliever "Mike" Adams leaves Dodgers, won't report to Triple-A". LA Daily News. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
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