Get To Know a Call-Up: Lane Adams

The Braves have made a roster move to try to shore up their bench, designating infielder Chase d’Arnaud for assignment and selecting the contract of outfielder Lane Adams.

The Player

Lane Adams, OF
Age: 27
Bats: R
OFR Prospect Rank: N/A
2017 Opening Day Level: AAA Gwinnett

2016 Stats:

Lane Adams was a 13th round draft pick by the Kansas City Royals in 2009. As late as 2014 Adams was ranked as the #15 prospect in the Royals farm system by Baseball America, also the year that Adams got his first, and until now his only taste of the big leagues, appearing in 6 late-season games with the Royals.

Adams bounced around AA and AAA again in 2015, hitting well in AA and struggling in AAA. The Royals lost faith and designated him for assignment after the season. The Yankees claimed him and he again bounced around AA and AAA, again struggling at the AAA level. The Yankees released him in July, and Adams joined up with the Cubs organization to finish out the year. This offseason, Adams signed a minor league free agent deal with Atlanta and was invited to big league spring training camp. Adams was assigned to AAA Gwinnett and has performed well in 13 games, hitting .333/.352/.588 with 4 home runs (including one of the inside-the-park variety) and several highlight-reel quality outfield plays.

The Report

Adams’s calling cards are speed and defense. Adams has not posted fewer than 31 stolen bases in a season since his A-ball days. He translates that speed well to the outfield where he runs quality routes and demonstrates a nose for the ball. Because of the presence of Xavier Avery, Adams has mostly been playing right field for Gwinnett, but he probably fits better in center field due to average-ish arm strength.

Adams has demonstrated above average raw power, but has sat in the low-teens in home runs. Adams does not get on base consistently enough to be a true top-of-the order bat, but his overall skill package would seem to make him a potential bench contributor.

For more detail, check out OFR’s Lane Adams Player Page.

What’s Next

Adams’s hot start at Gwinnett, combined with the putrid performance by the Atlanta bench in the first three weeks of the season, has given Adams his second major league call-up. Considering the lack of options available, he should get a long look and has the opportunity to stay awhile.

Last Night @LA_Swiftness had not 1️⃣ but 2️⃣ 💣s in the #GBraves 15-2 win over the Tides. pic.twitter.com/nOJOoRWCq6

— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) April 12, 2017