| Austin Adams | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Adams in 2010 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1986-08-19)August 19, 1986 (age 39) Montgomery, Alabama, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 12, 2014, for the Cleveland Indians | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 6, 2019, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 2–0 |
| Earned run average | 6.45 |
| Strikeouts | 58 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Austin David Adams (born August 19, 1986) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theCleveland Indians,Minnesota Twins, andDetroit Tigers.
Adams attendedStanhope Elmore High School inMillbrook, Alabama and played college baseball forFaulkner University. With Faulkner, he playedshortstop and pitched; as a shortstop, he had a .372batting average with 29home runs.[1] In 2008, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theHyannis Mets of theCape Cod Baseball League.[2][3]
He was selected by theCleveland Indians in the2009 MLB draft.[4] He began his minor league career with theMahoning Valley Scrappers of theClass A-Short SeasonNew York–Penn League. In 17 games, he had a win–loss record of 3–1 and anearned run average (ERA) of 4.86. The following season, he pitched for theLake County Captains of theClass AMidwest League and theKinston Indians of theClass A-AdvancedCarolina League. Adams pitched in 13 games each for the two squads, and with Kinston he had a 6–1 record and a 1.53 ERA. Between both teams, he had 112strikeouts in 112innings pitched.[5]
In 2011, Adams spent the season with theAkron Aeros of theClass AAEastern League, where he had an 11–10 record, a 3.77 ERA, and 131 strikeouts in 26 appearances. He was invited tospring training with the Indians the following year, but suffered a shoulder injury. He had surgery on it in may of that year, and missed the 2012 season.[6] In 2013, the Indians converted him into arelief pitcher and assigned him to the Aeros for the season. He had a 2.62 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 45 games; the Indians added him to their40-man roster after the season.[7]
Adams began the 2014 season with theColumbus Clippers of theClass AAAInternational League, and spent the first three months of the season with them. He was promoted to the Indians on July 11 after pitching in 30 games for the Clippers, and he made his major league debut the following day.[1] Adams made 28 appearances for the Indians in 2015, compiling a 3.78 ERA and earning 1 save.[8] On February 7, 2017, Adams was designated for assignment by the Indians.[9]
On February 10, 2017, the Indians traded Adams to theLos Angeles Angels for aplayer to be named later or cash considerations.[10] He was designated for assignment on April 2. On April 5, Adams cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-ASalt Lake Bees. He would pitch in 6 games split between Salt Lake and the rookie–levelOrem Owlz, registering a 3.60 ERA with four strikeouts and one save across 5.0 innings pitched. Adams elected free agency following the season on November 6.[11]
On June 1, 2018, Adams signed with theSugar Land Skeeters of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[12]
On August 19, 2018, Adams's contract was purchased by theMinnesota Twins, and he was assigned to theDouble-AChattanooga Lookouts.[13] He opened the 2019 season with theRochester Red Wings.[14] On May 16, his contract was selected and he was called up to the major league roster.[15] he made his Twins debut on May 18 and pitched 2 scoreless innings.
On May 26, 2019, theDetroit Tigers claimed Adams off waivers after the Twins designated him for assignment.[16] He made his Tigers debut on June 1. On July 7, he was designated for assignment. He appeared in 13 games, pitching to a 5.14 ERA. He elected free agency on September 30.
On January 28, 2020, Adams signed a minor league contract with theMinnesota Twins organization. Adams did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[17] On November 2, he elected free agency.[18]
On July 5, 2021, Adams signed with theLexington Legends of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[19][20] Adams made 36 appearances for Lexington in 2021, posting a 4–4 record and 2.68 ERA with 8 saves and 36 strikeouts in 37 innings pitched. Adams struggled in 2022, pitching to a 5.46 ERA while collecting 14 saves and 40 strikeouts in31+1⁄3 innings of work. He was released by the Legends on August 2, 2022.[21]
