Rays’ top prospect Willy Adames ‘having fun,’ focused on present

Before Tropicana Field and playing in MLB’s Midsummer Classic, Rays prospect Willy Adames is preoccupied only with sharpening his skills in Triple-A.

Willy Adames is unfazed about the future. He understands where he is in his career and remains true to his secret for success.

His ‘secret’ is the reason he decided to pick up a bat and ball.

“When I’m doing good, it’s when I’m enjoying the game and having fun. I’m just trying to keep having fun and keep working on the little things,” said Adames. “That helps me to be successful. When I’m having fun, I’m good.”

Adames, a shortstop in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, is a minor league veteran at this point in his career. From swapping organizations to being one of the youngest in Triple-A, the 21-year-old entered his fifth professional season with the loftiest of expectations.

After all, one cannot get much higher than top prospect.

“I don’t really think about that,” Adames said. “I’m just trying to do my work and trying to get better on defense and hitting.”

Early in 2017, the transition to Triple-A came difficult for the middle infielder. Coming off career highs in batting average and home runs, Adames was hitting an anemic .230 with a pair of home runs and 21 RBI through May. He recognized his struggles and grew disappointed in himself. 

Thankfully, family and friends in both the Dominican Republic and Miami lifted morale.

“My family is always there for me, and I got a couple friends that are close to me and always support me,” he said. “When I’m not doing good, like the first two months, they are always trying to help me and telling me to stay positive. They give me that positive vibe.”

Turning the corner, June was a drastically better month for Adames. His average skyrocketed 42 points and he more than doubled his home run total. The Triple-A All-Star appeared a completely different player, which he credits to the development of a daily regimen.

“Me and Ozzie Timmons, the hitting coach [with Durham], have been working a lot in the cage and trying to make a routine,” said Adames. “It’s been pretty good, it’s helped me start getting hot.

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“I always try to have a quality at-bat. I try to hit the ball hard and trying to get a good pitch to hit a ball in the gap. If it’s a home run, I’ll take it. If it’s a double or triple, I’ll take it too.”

Outside of the batters’ box, Adames has endured some turbulent days in the field. The shortstop finished the first half with 20 errors in 715.1 innings, putting him on pace for the most in his career. 

“They (Tampa Bay) just want me to keep working on my defense,” he said. “I take ground balls and try to make the routine play [during batting practice].”

On a positive note, however, Adames owns a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in his first season at second base. Teammate Kean Wong has been instrumental in providing assistance.

“He is always trying to help me when I’m going to play second base.”

Regardless of position, Adames is adamant he has no preference when his first game at Tropicana Field will arrive. Instead, his sights remain on Triple-A pitching and being one part of a very talented Durham team.

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“When the time comes to go to the Big Leagues, it will come,” he said. “If I don’t do good here, I’m not going to go to the Big Leagues. It doesn’t matter who is playing shortstop or who is playing second base.

“We have a lot of great players like Jake [Bauers] and Kean. The future is going to be very fun.”