San Diego Padres: Austin Adams on cusp of tying major league record

When one thinks of the league leaders in hit batters, relievers are not even close to being on the top of the list. However, San Diego Padres reliever Austin Adams is changing that in dramatic fashion this season.

Heading into Saturday, he has drilled a major league leading 20 batters. This leaves him one away from the modern major league record of 21, set by Tom Murphy in 1969, and tied by Kerry Wood in 2003.

San Diego Padres reliever Austin Adams could have record breaking year

Murphy threw 215.2 innings for the Angels in 1969 when he set that record. Interestingly, he never reached double digits in hit batters again in his career, hitting a total of 63 batters in his dozen years in the majors. Wood threw 211 innings in 2003 when he tied the record, and was far more wild, leading the league previously in 2002 and hitting 99 batters in total.

That lack of innings makes Adams’ performance all the more remarkable. He has drilled those 20 batters in just 45.2 innings this season, an incredible rate for someone who had hit a total of two batters in his 42 innings entering this season. Adams is also far ahead of second on the list, having drilled five more batters than Padres’ teammate Joe Musgrove.

Adams has had command issues over his career. He has a 6.2 BB/9 rate during his time in the majors, not far off from his 5.8 BB/9 rate in the minors. However, that wildness has also served him well, as he has struck out 14.1 batters per nine innings while allowing fewer than six hits per nine.

Chances are, Adams will receive plenty of chances to set that record. The Padres will need to call on him again, and if his current pattern holds up, someone will be hit in the next two or three innings. He may have a spot in the record books to himself, albeit one no one would have envisioned.

It is rare to see a reliever leading the league in hit batters. However, San Diego Padres reliever Austin Adams is on a record breaking pace.