Jason Adam

Adam played for three different teams in four seasons prior to joining the Rays in 2022. The journeyman was impressive from the outset, parlaying a strong string into a bullpen role out of camp. The 31-year-old delivered a career-high 63.1 innings and established career marks across multiple categories, including a team-leading eight saves and a 0.76 WHIP that was third-best among qualified relievers. His 7.2% walk rate and 45.7% groundball rate were notably better than his career averages and he was one of the best pitchers in the league at limiting hard contact. Adam threw fewer fastballs (32% pitch usage) and ditched his curveball almost entirely last season in favor of more sliders (35%) and changeups (33%). All three pitches generated a 34% or higher whiff rate and his 75.8% in-zone contact percentage was eighth-best among relief pitchers. Expect some ERA regression, but Adam should maintain his high leverage role for the Rays.

The 30-year-old righty was non-tendered by the Cubs after posting a 5.91 ERA in a small sample of 10.2 innings last season, but the Rays evidently saw enough to offer him a major-league deal. His appeal is likely related to his ability to miss bats, as he owns a 37.0 percent strikeout rate in 24.1 innings across the last two seasons, which should theoretically be high enough to offset his 13.0 percent walk rate. He'll contend for a bullpen role this spring.

Despite a fastball that can reach the high-90s and decent strikeout rates, Adam struggled for a second consecutive season as starter with a 5.03 ERA at Double-A. He was then moved to the bullpen at Triple-A and had success with a 2.35 ERA and 11:4 K:BB ratio in 15.1 innings, which likely prompted the Twins to trade for him in August. Adam has had decent strikeout rates and good control in his minor league career, but has given up too many hits. A change of scenery and a move to the bullpen could turn his career around. He'll likely begin the season at Triple-A Rochester.

Though Adam showed only minimal growth in his jump to Double-A in 2013, he still remains relatively high on the Royals' prospect list. He posted a solid 7.9 K/9 over 144 innings and dropped his HR/9 to 0.8, but seemed to struggle more with his command and saw his walk rate nearly double from the year before. Following the season, the team sent him to the Arizona Fall League to face stronger competition and while he fixed some of his command issues, he found himself victimized by the long ball once again. Obviously a work in progress, Adam still projects as an eventual middle-of-the-rotation hurler whose big, strong frame should allow him to eat plenty of innings. The club may start him off at Double-A again, but he should earn himself a promotion to the Triple-A level before the season is through.

Adam was a fifth-round pick in 2010 and has quickly ascended the prospect ranks in Kansas City. He projects as a middle-of-the-rotation starter who should be a true innings-eater given his big, strong frame. He threw 158 innings in High-A last year and posted a 3.53 ERA with 123 strikeouts to just 36 walks. He will likely start the season at Double-A Northwest Arkansas in 2013, but looks like he could still be another year or two away from having a major league impact.