Kansas City Royals taking a chance on Chance Adams

On Monday, the Kansas City Royals acquired former top prospect Chance Adams from the New York Yankees.

It was not that long ago that Chance Adams was one of the top prospects in the game. A consensus top 100 prospect prior to the 2018 campaign, Adams was never able to find his footing at either AAA or in the majors. Not even two years later, Adams was designated for assignment when the New York Yankees landed Gerrit Cole in free agency.

As is usually the case when it comes to former top prospects, there is another team willing to take a chance on them. In this case, the Kansas City Royals came calling, sending minor league infielder Cristian Perez to the Yankees for Adams.

The top prospect luster has faded from Adams. In his 33 major league innings, he has been hammered for an 8.18 ERA and a 1.879 WHiP, with just 27 strikeouts. Adams has fought his command, allowing 15 walks, and has been quite hittable when finding the strike zone, as he has allowed ten homers.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

Those numbers have been better at AAA, but are not what one would have hoped for. In his 194.2 innings, Adams has posted a 4.72 ERA and a 1.408 WHiP, striking out 213 batters while issuing 96 walks.

The Royals did not give up much for the former top prospect. Perez is considered a glove first player who profiles as a possible utility infielder if he reaches the majors. He is not much of a hitter, as evidenced by his anemic .252/.290/.285 batting line in 424 plate appearances in the Carolina League. Perez had a total of 12 extra base hits in 2019, and has just four homers in 1208 professional plate appearances.

Understandably, Perez was more than worth the price to acquire another former top prospect. Adams had been considered a potential middle of the rotation arm but had lost his effectiveness, and some velocity, after surgery to remove bone spurs in his elbow. With the Royals looking for future pieces to contend, a pitcher with the type of pedigree that Adams possessed is worth taking a chance on.

The Kansas City Royals have acquired Chance Adams for a minor league infielder. That is the type of deal they need to be making.