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Tampa Bay Rays Top 10 Prospects For 2017

By Benjamin Chase

Apr 6, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A general view of a Tampa Bay Rays bag, rosin and baseballs lay in the bullpen prior to the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A general view of a Tampa Bay Rays bag, rosin and baseballs lay in the bullpen prior to the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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1. Willy Adames, SS

Birthdate: 9/2/95 (21 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: AA
Stats in 2016: .274/.372/.430, 11 HR, 13 SB

Adames was acquired by the Rays in their big deal to send away David Price, and his major talent level was the primary prospect return the Rays received in that deal along with lefty Drew Smyly headlining the major league portion of the deal.

Adames is a guy who many have struggled to put a finger on as a prospect for a long time. He has an immense amount of power in his swing, grading as a plus raw power in batting practice, but not translating it consistently to game power.

Adames also has a frame that worried many that he would outgrow shortstop, but he’s continued to handle shortstop very well as he’s filled out due to great instincts and very good hands. Though he has average speed and could be forced off the position eventually, he would make an elite third baseman if he did move to there.

Offensively, Adames has an elite ceiling still, showing very good power in AA last season as a 20 year-old through the entire season, hitting 31 doubles and 6 triples to go with his 11 home runs. His ability to make very good contact should allow him to keep up a very good batting average going forward.

He does have very solid pitch recognition, as evidenced by his 74 walks in 486 at bats, though he did end up striking out quite a bit as well, though not at an unreasonable rate.

Adames will likely see AAA in 2017, and he could very possibly be part of the big league club at some point in the season.

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