Spencer Adams: Prospect Profile for Chicago White Sox 2nd-Round Pick

Player: Spencer Adams

Drafted by: Chicago White Sox

Position: RHP

DOB: 04/13/1996 (Age: 18)

Height/Weight: 6’4”, 180 pounds

Bats/Throws: R/R

School: White County High School (Ga.)

College Commitment: Georgia

Background

A three-sport standout at White County High School, Spencer Adams was previously known for his dunking prowess. Now, he’s known for his big-league potential on the mound. 

After going 5-4 with a 1.89 ERA in 48 innings last year as a junior, Adams, a 6’4”, 180-pound righty, has steadily grown into his projectable frame over the last year and as a result seen his velocity climb into the low-90s. 

The 18-year-old was absolutely dominant this spring, posting a 0.72 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 58.1 innings, and he has as much helium as any prep pitcher heading into the draft.

Full Scouting Report

Note: Numerical scores are on the conventional 20-80 scouting scale, with the current score first and projected score second.

Body/Mechanics

Top-flight athlete with highly projectable 6’4”, 180-pound frame; lean build and long arms/legs leave room to add considerable strength; arm action is fluid and loose with some deception from a low three-quarters arm slot; impressive raw arm strength; employs a repeatable delivery that doesn’t require much effort due to his natural athleticism; usually shows good balance throughout delivery but does have a tendency to let his lower half trickle toward the plate; release point was more consistent this spring but remains a work in progress; stays tall to create downhill plane.

Fastball: 50/60

Improved velocity this spring has him sitting in the low 90s and holding deeper into games, compared to the previous summer; bumps 94-95 mph in early innings with good life; thrown with decent sinking action; athleticism and frame suggest he’ll gain velocity as he gets stronger and focuses on baseball-specific training.

Slider: 45/55

Potential plus-or-better offering thrown in the mid-80s with tight spin and late, two-plane break that is ideal for missing bats at any level; profiles as a legitimate out pitch; pace and shape have noticeably improved this spring, but he still tends to get around it at times during a given start; has room to add a full grade, possibly more.

Changeup: 40/50

Adams’ changeup represents the weakest offering in his arsenal, but he still makes an effort to mix it in; his feel for the pitch is more advanced than one might expect; projects to be at least average at maturity with decent fading action and speed differential.

Control: 45/55

Adams shows a surprisingly good feel for throwing strikes and working down in the zone; consistently around the zone with entire arsenal and especially with fastball/slider; projects to have above-average control at maturity.

Command: 40/50

Command is below average at the present, which is normal considering his limited time on the mound in previous years; exhibits a present feel for spotting fastball to both sides of the plate as well as the lower quadrants of the strike zone; combination of athleticism and easy arm action leaves plenty of room to develop at least average command of entire arsenal.

MLB Player Comparison: Jeff Samardzija

Adams doesn’t profile as a No. 1 or 2 starter like Jeff Samardzija, but he does draw comparisons to the Cubs right-hander for his overall athleticism, highly projectable frame and potential to boast at least average command of a plus fastball/slider combo.

Projection: No. 3 starting pitcher

Major Leagues ETA: 2017

Chances of Signing: 85 percent

Adams is believed to have a solid commitment to Georgia next season, but the right-hander also has some serious helium headed into the draft after a strong finish this spring—the kind of helium that could lead to a multimillion dollar signing bonus late in the first round.