Prospect #24: Cody Adams

Published Dec 30 2008, 02:11 AM by Ryan Topp

This year we’ll be releasing our top 25 list in conjunction with the people over at Bernie’s Crew, which means the list is going to posted somewhat out of order to match up with what Jim has for his Top 25. An up-to-date list of the Between the Green Pillars Top 25 can be found at the bottom of the page.

Cody Adams / RHP/ 6’2” 180 LBS / Born 11/26/86

The former Saluki was the final pick of the six the Brewers had in the first two rounds of the 2008 draft. Adams isn’t a dominator at this point in his career, though he throws a low to mid 90’s fastball that he complements with two solid, if underdeveloped, secondary offerings. What stood out most about his college numbers was his ability to avoid the BB, as he barely walked 2 batters per 9 innings. What he doesn’t do is strike out a lot of batters, at least not yet. He’s an extreme ground ball pitcher, allowing more than twice as many ground balls as fly balls in 54 1/3 innings at rookie Helena last year. Correspondingly, he only allowed 3 HR in a homer friendly league. His K:BB ratio was a solid, if totally unspectacular 37:16.

The trick for Adams going forward will be to build on that strikeout rate while maintaining the other aspects of his game. Brewerfan.net reported in their initial scouting report that there are many who think that Adams will benefit more than most from work on his mechanics, and if that is true there could be significant untapped potential within him. Brewer fans should get a chance to see Adams up close and personal, as he is likely ticketed for Appleton to open the 2009 campaign.

Bernie's Crew Take On Adams:

Cody Adams just missed the Top 25 for me, as I want to see more of him before moving him up too much.  His low-90s fastball is fine and he controls it quite well, but his slider and changeup need a lot of work if he is going to succeed at the higher levels.  As cited above, his ground-out to air-out ratio is stellar at 2.16.  His strikeout rate is decent at 6.13 K/9, and he has shown solid control in his first professional season.

The problem for is that he should succeed in Helena.  His 3.48 ERA is fine, but a collegiate pitcher drafted in the first two rounds should mow down more undisciplined hitters at a better rate.  To me, Cody projects as nothing more than a middle reliever.  His stuff is not dominant enough to star in the back-end of the bullpen, but it is solid.  The fact that he does not walk batters will be a real boon for the right-hander moving up through the system.  I am interested to see how he fares with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2009.  If his walk rate can stay down without the opponent's batting average skyrocketing, I will be more than happy to move Cody into the Top 25.  Until then, the right-hander hovers right outside at about #27 or #28.

POTENTIAL: B-

CHANCE OF REACHING POTENTIAL: C-

PROJECTED ARRIVAL: 2012/2013

OVERALL: C

Jim's Ranking: Unranked

 

Between the Green Pillars Top 25 Prospects:

# 25: Evan Frederickson

# 24: Cody Adams

Filed under: ,
Link this   E-mail This Link

Comments

 

Jim Breen said:

Cody Adams just missed the Top 25 for me, as I want to see more of him before moving him up too much.  His low-90s fastball is fine and he controls it quite well, but his slider and changeup need a lot of work if he is going to succeed at the higher levels.  As cited above, his ground-out to air-out ratio is stellar at 2.16.  His strikeout rate is decent at 6.13 K/9, and he has shown solid control in his first professional season.

The problem for is that he should succeed in Helena.  His 3.48 ERA is fine, but a collegiate pitcher drafted in the first two rounds should mow down more undisciplined hitters at a better rate.  To me, Cody projects as nothing more than a middle reliever.  His stuff is not dominant enough to star in the back-end of the bullpen, but it is solid.  The fact that he does not walk batters will be a real boon for the right-hander moving up through the system.  I am interested to see how he fares with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2009.  If his walk rate can stay down without the opponent's batting average skyrocketing, I will be more than happy to move Cody into the Top 25.  Until then, the right-hander hovers right outside at about #27 or #28.

POTENTIAL: B-

CHANCE OF REACHING POTENTIAL: C-

PROJECTED ARRIVAL: 2012/2013

OVERALL: C

Jim's Ranking: Unranked

December 30, 2008 10:19 AM
 

akittell said:

I agree with Ryan this round.  Cody Adams appears to be Evan Anundsen with more potential, not only because of his age, but also his willingness and ability to throw at least two other pitches.  Clearly he's a 'sinker' baller pitcher with that GB:FB, and that ultimately makes him a solid prospect to keep an eye on.

Haydel on the other hand is rough around the edges and a 6 point improvement in his OBP isn't going to anyone.  All it's saying to me is average, average, average.  There could be an upside in the future with him, as there is with any player, but he lacks considerably in the power department and isn't turning eyes with his speed like Darren Ford did.  Considering players like Erik Komatsu, Lorenzo Cain and especially Brendan Katin, who has the same numbers as Haydel, but with power, are floating around, Haydel is going to get pushed down the tube as a throw-in player for a trade down the road.

Aaron's Useless Scoreboard:

Ryan 1, Jim 1

December 30, 2008 1:37 PM

Leave a Comment

(required )  
(optional )
(required )  
Add

About This Blog

Between the Green Pillars is a statistically informed fan blog covering the Milwaukee Brewers at both the major and minor league level.

Become a fan of Between The Green Pillars on Facebook.

Tags

Advertisement

Brewer Blog Roll

Other Blogs

Reference Sites

Syndication