Mike Adams (pitcher)

Professional career

Mike Adams kicked off his pro career in 2001 with the Ogden Raptors in the Pioneer Baseball League, then climbed through the Milwaukee Brewers' farm system. By 2003, he was an All-Star in the Southern League, putting up a 3.15 ERA and 14 saves for the Huntsville Stars.

He reached the majors on May 18, 2004, facing the Montreal Expos and tossing a clean seventh inning. Two days later, he got a win in relief against the same team. Over three partial seasons with the Brewers, he logged a 3.54 ERA across 61 appearances.

New York Mets/Cleveland Indians (2006)

In May 2006, Milwaukee sent him to the New York Mets for Geremi Gonzalez. After 13 games with the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, the Mets designated him for assignment on July 4, and the Cleveland Indians picked him up three days later.

San Diego Padres (2006–2010)

He appeared in just three games for the Indians' Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons. On July 18, 2006, Cleveland traded him to the San Diego Padres for Brian Sikorski. The Padres assigned him to the Triple-A Portland Beavers, where he posted a 4.18 ERA in 17 outings.

Injuries sidelined him for the entire 2007 season after three knee surgeries. He bounced back in 2008, spending most of the year in the Padres bullpen and appearing in 54 games with a 2.48 ERA.

From 2009 through 2010, he was dominant: 107 innings, just 62 hits allowed, a 118-to-31 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and a 1.35 ERA. Working as the eighth-inning specialist, he set a career high with 70 games in 2010, including eight of the final 11 contests and a five-game stretch in a row. He signed a one-year, $2,535,000 deal for 2011 to avoid arbitration.

Texas Rangers (2011–2012)

At the 2011 trade deadline, the Padres dealt him to the Texas Rangers for minor-league arms Robbie Erlin and Joe Wieland. He finished that season with a combined 5-4 record and a 1.47 ERA over 73 2/3 innings. In 2012, he had a 3.27 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings. He then inked a two-year, $12 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on December 15, 2012.

Philadelphia Phillies (2013–2014)

After an erratic start to 2013, he landed on the disabled list in July and opted for right shoulder surgery. He returned to the active roster on April 15, 2014. Across two seasons with the Phillies, he made 50 appearances and finished with a 3.50 ERA.

Player profile

Adams primarily worked as a setup man. His fastball was around 90 mph, though earlier in his career it reached the mid-90s.

He pitched inside effectively against both right-handed and left-handed batters. Padres manager Bud Black noted his command of the fastball and cutter/slider inside, as well as his ability to command the outside of the plate. Pitching coach Darren Balsley attributed Adams’ success against lefties to a hard, inside slider that prevented them from diving over the plate.

Did You Know?

• Adams grew up in Sinton, Texas, and was an All-State selection in baseball and basketball at Sinton High School.
• He attended Texas A&M University–Kingsville, where he played both baseball and basketball.