Adams Continues To Dominate
For the second year running, the Padres look to have one of the best bullpens in baseball. After posting a 2.75 ERA and 2.95 FIP as part of an unlikely 90-win season in 2010, the Padres are doing it again in 2011, with a 2.33 ERA and 2.85 FIP out of the gates. Although Heath Bell is the headliner of the group, his opening act, Mike Adams, deserves just as much credit. His ascension from total baseball obscurity was detailed excellently by SBNation’s Grant Brisbee today. The man just keeps getting better, too: since 2010, Adams has a 1.60 ERA and 2.31 FIP, both in the top 10 among pitchers with at least 40 innings pitched in that span.
Adams has started his 2011 out on the same note as his fantastic 2010 season, putting together one of the best 38-batter stretches a pitcher could imagine. Only one run has scored off Adams this year off a solo homer, one of his two hits allowed. Those two batters are the only ones to reach base off Adams at all this year, as Adams is yet to yield a walk — intentional or otherwise — nor has he hit a batter with a pitch. Throw in eleven strikeouts and you have a pitcher who is about as close to unhittable as it gets.
Watching Adams’s fastball/cutter combination, it’s very easy to understand how Adams has managed to so utterly dominate MLB hitters despite his struggles prior to his arrival in San Diego. The numbers do a pretty good job of representing that as well — since 2009, the fastball has been worth 15.4 runs above average and the cutter worth a tremendous 28.2 runs. Unsurprisingly, given these results, the cutter has seen more and more usage from Adams, now comprising 55.8% of his total pitches.
However, words really don’t do justice for the repertoire of Mike Adams. I can cite numbers until I’m blue in the face, but to really appreciate him you have to watch. Here are a few links to some good video of Adams devastating MLB hitters.
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=11942663
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=11962655
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=6226935
Enjoy. After watching, Adams’s seemingly insane numbers will make much more sense.
That solo homer came in his first appearance of the season too, on Opening Day to Holliday. He retired 28 straight batters after that.
Fun Fact: At one point in 2007, the Mets had both Adam and Bell on their 40-man roster.
Also, if you watch the replay for that homer, it was completely ridiculous. Holliday basically reached way down and hit a good low and out-of-the-zone fastball for a homer. Hard to pin that one in any way on Adams, just Holliday being a freak.
Video link: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=13353049
His cutter “looks” more devastating than Mo’s. He’s a treat to watch (and to own in fantasy).
With Thornton’s fall from “best 8th inning man in baseball” status, I’m curious how Adams would handle a closing role if Bell ended up being traded.
Sorry, but Adams was better than Thornton even last year.
Yep. He’s the only non closer I have ever used in my lineup. I just plug him in when I don’t like the matchups.
But does he get to close in San Diego anytime soon?
You’d have to think that Bell is a trade candidate, given how crappy the Padres look this year.
I’d be shocked if Heath isn’t traded. Sadly (for me), the Pads are losing a lot and don’t look to contend this year. Heath is the highest paid player on the team, and even with him gone, a 7/8/9 of Qualls/Frieri, Gregerson, Adams is pretty formidable
It’s probably worth mentioning too that Adams retired 27 straight batters this year. Just a fun fact….
I wonder if the Pads have ever thought of trying Adams in the rotation? Could he survive? He hasn’t been the most durable of RP in the past but just a thought.
luke gregerson is also another very strong piece in that bullpen
Don’t forget Ernesto Frieri and his 1.36 FIP. Their bullpen is stacked. Too bad their offense has been so lousy this year.
Adams domination started in the 2008 season. His utter domination started in 2009 and has carried on since-even through injury time outs. He just picks up where he left off.
It’s no park effect for him either. He pitches well everywhere, to every handed hitter. I’ve been following him for awhile-he’s had quite a few injuries, has missed significant time, and has passed through several organizations. San Diego said “I like Mike” and hung on to him. He’s the best reliever in either league that no one has heard of.
Not true. That would be Ernesto Frieri and his sick slider.
Oh, I like him a great deal too, but Automatic Adams is still my personal favorite.