With the latest injury to Lance Berkman, it appears like the Cardinals are going to see what first base prospect Matt Adams can bring to the table. One of the elite power prospects in the game, Adams has the potential to make a major impact if he’s called upon for the long-term. Let’s take a look at everything we need to know about him:
- 23-years old (he’ll turn 24 on August 31)
- Left-handed hitter
- Drafted in the 23rd round in 2009 (#699 overall)
- Started to show power potential in 2010, when he hit 22 HR with 41 doubles (two behind league leaders) in 464 AB at Single-A
- Hit .300 with 32 HR and 101 RBI in 463 AB at Double-A in 2011
- Led the Texas league in RBI (one of only three players with over 90 RBI) and second in HR (Tim Wheeler led league with 33)
- Followed that up by hitting .340 with 9 HR and 27 RBI in 141 AB at Triple-A (Pacific Coast League) this season
- For minor league career has posted a line of .318/.366/.557 with 73 HR in 1,311 AB
- Makes good contact, with a 17.5% strikeout rate at Double-A and 18.0% at Triple-A this season
- With his power and ability to make contact, he has potential to hit .285+ (his .300 average in ’11 came courtesy of a .308 BABIP)
- Would like to see him draw a few more walks, with a career walk rate of 7.1% (6.0% at Triple-A)
- Do not look for him to provide any value in the stolen base department and, depending on where he hits in the lineup, runs could be few and far between as well
- Baseball America ranked Adams as the team’s #9 prospect and the best power hitting prospect in the organization
- mlb.com ranked him as the team’s #8 prospect and #4 first base prospect (behind only Anthony Rizzo, Jonathan Singleton & C.J. Cron)
- Rotoprofessor ranked him as the team’s #2 prospect to make an impact in ’12 and #32 overall
- Prior to the season Baseball America described Adams by saying, “Adams has a hulking frame but doesn’t rely solely on muscle to catapult his moonshot homers. He has a compact swing that doesn’t need an uppercut or loop to create distance. A coach called the stroke foolproof because it gives him the ability to punish more than mistakes. One scout likened him to Freddie Freeman with more power and less defense.”
Conclusion:
Adams is one of the premier power prospects in the minor leagues. With the injuries piling up in St. Louis, the Cardinals desperately need a shot in the arm and Adams could easily be the answer. With Berkman almost certainly landing on the DL, the Cardinals are not going to bring Adams up to sit him on the bench (at least you wouldn’t think).
While Matt Carpenter could get an occasional start, Adams should play regularly for the next two weeks and could even hit in the middle of the order. For those in deeper formats, he could really help out as a corner infielder or for a little extra power. Obviously, how long he plays will depend on the extent of Berkman’s injury. While he’s up, though, he is worth owning.
What happens when Craig gets back even if Berkman is done?
It all depends on if Adams is hitting or not. If he’s producing and becoming a fixture in the lineup, I think the Cardinals will find a way to fit everyone in the lineup. Adams just has too much potential to be a major source of power in the middle of the lineup.
Craig would probably see some time at 1B, as well as time in the OF, 2B and 3B. In other words, he would be playing the same role he had been when everyone was healthy.
I’ve got two 1B eligible players, Hosmer and Kendrick, so I’m taking a good look at Adams and Rizzo.
I don’t expect either of them to produce like my last young pickup has (Trout), and I realize that I’m putting a lot of faith in a lot of youth, but there’s too much promise to not be intrigued.
Absolutely agree. We’ll have to wait and see when Rizzo actually gets an opportunity. I have heard the rumblings that he’ll be recalled in June, but time will tell.