AUSTIN ADAMS, RHP

Position: RHP B/T: R/R
Age: 32 (05/05/1991)

2023 Traditional Stats: 24 G, 0-1, 17 ⅓ IP, 5.71 ERA, 22 SO, 8 BB, 1.385 WHIP
2023 Advanced Stats: 78 ERA+, 3.72 FIP, 11.4 K/9, 4.2 BB/9, 27.2 K%, 9.9 BB%, 39.1 GB%, -0.2 bWAR

Photo via USA Today

Rundown

The Mets added to their dwindled-down bullpen Thursday, signing veteran reliever Austin Adams to a one-year non-guaranteed split contract. He’ll join the likes of Drew Smith, Brooks Raley, Edwin Díaz, and, well, that’s kind of it right now. The team needs steady bullpen help and depth, and this is a signing the Mets hope will get them going in the right direction. 

Adams’ last cup of coffee in the big leagues came in 2023 with the Diamondbacks, where he had a miserable go at things. The right-hander put up underwhelming numbers before going down for the season with a fractured ankle, especially in his final few appearances. Injury also kept him out for most of 2022; he only pitched two ⅓ innings with the Padres before dealing with a strained flexor tendon.

His major league career will come full circle back to the NL East, where he began, but this time with the Mets. In his first couple of seasons with the Nationals, Adams appeared in only nine games but pitched to a 3.86 ERA. He was then sent to the Mariners, where he got ample playing time, making 29 appearances. He struck out an impressive 51 batters in just 31 innings pitched, allowing only 14 walks.

The reliever’s time in San Diego might be his most productive. Although injury cost him, he pitched 59 innings where he only allowed two home runs. Control hurt him in 2021, and he led the majors in batters hit with 24. However, he excels in inducing soft contact, thanks in part to his slider being his dominant pitch. Since 2021, hitters are batting .166 against Adams’ slider.

Contract

The Mets signed Adams to a one-year major league deal. What makes his contract interesting is that it’s a non-guaranteed split contract. It’s a low-risk deal with the Mets, who take a chance on a guy in need of a bounce-back year. The Mets desperately need not just bullpen depth but a bullpen itself, and Adams is another man who can compete for a role. He’s out of minor-league options, so if things don’t work out, the Mets structured the contract wisely so that they can adopt a “next man up” mentality.

Deeper Look

Adams is the very definition of a wildcard signing. He hasn’t been consistently healthy since 2021, and even then, he’s been up and down in his appearances. Take his 2021 campaign with the Padres. According to Statcast, Adams was in the top 10% of the league in exit velocity against (85.7 mph), xwOBAcon (.322), and K% (31.5). Adams was even at the top percentile in xBA (.164), hard hit percent (24.5%) and xSLG (.263). However, he was in the bottom two percent of the league in walk percent at 14.5%.

He uses his slider 90% of the time, and while effective, it’s a pitch that batters can adjust to, especially if left hanging in the wrong spot over the plate. The pitch averages about 88.1 mph, and Adams uses it as his put-away pitch 20.2% of the time. His fastball levels out at around 94 mph, an increase from where it sat in 2022 at 92 mph.

All the stats in the world mean nothing if Adams can’t stay healthy. He’s only pitched more than 50 innings once in his big league career, and in the past three seasons, he’s only put in around 71 combined innings of work. For reference, the Mets’ current combination of Smith, Díaz and Raley united for 110 innings last season, and Díaz didn’t pitch.

Grade: C

There’s a lot to like about Adams when he’s healthy and has his stuff working. For the Mets and Adams, it’s a matter of finding a way to get that to happen. As mentioned above, the deal is low-risk for the Mets, but there is an upside. The bullpen is in shambles right now, and more arms will come in to audition; Adams is just one of them.

With Adam Ottavino declining his player option, there’s room in the bullpen for someone with a wicked slider. Adams might just fit that bill. David Stearns isn’t putting all his money on Adams to be their savior or the answer to their problems. He’s just hoping he can be a piece in a puzzle to help bring the Mets back to October ball.