New York Yankees right-handed youngster Chance Adams could force his way onto the major league roster in 2017.
In the midst of a rookie renaissance, New York Yankees‘ 22-year old righty Chance Adams has definitely made a name for himself after a dominating 2016.The fifth round pick of the 2015 MLB June Amateur Draft began his professional career as a reliever, but after perfecting his delivery, Adams climbed up the ladder to become one of the top pitching prospects in the organization — and he surely backed it up.
Last season, between High-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton, the righty went 13-1 in 25 games (24 starts) with a 2.33 ERA including 144 strikeouts in 127.1 innings.
He went 5-0 with a 2.65 ERA in 11 starts at Tampa before posting an 8-1 record and a 2.09 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) in Jersey.
Adams’ strikeout per nine inning ratio also jumped from 10.2 to 11.2 while his opponent’s batting average dipped from a stellar .196 to an unimaginable .145 upon his promotion.
In fact, that production has how own general manager very high on him as a potential go-to option as the 2017 season progresses.
“Chance Adams is someone that destroyed the Flordia State League and then the Eastern League last year,” Brian Cashman said on Yankees’ Hot Stove of the YES Network on Monday. “Pretty exciting young talent that if he continues his maiden voyage at Triple-A you could see him at some point in the summertime.”
James Kaprielian, who was selected in the same draft as Adams, missed the entire 2016 regular season due to an elbow flexor strain.
Formerly the top ranked pitcher in the organization, Kaprielian is looking to get back in the swing of things after the nasty injury cut short his first full year of professional ball — he owns a 1.55 ERA with 36 strikeouts in seven career games.
“He’s an exciting kid,” Cashman also said. “He may very well be our top pitching prospect even above Kaprielian and it’s certainly in the argument now and that’s exciting stuff.”
According to MLB Pipeline, Adams’ average fastball has jumped up to 94-96 m.p.h. and has hit 98 since he turned pro.
Will he get his shot this upcoming season? We have a lot of time before we find out.
Nevertheless, considering the delicate rotation that is expected to remain unchanged, there is an outside shot for young guys like Adams, Kaprielian, Jordan Montgomery, Dietrich Enns and more to make an impact as soon as 2017.
Judging by Cashman’s comments, don’t sleep on the young native of Scottsdale.
