Fansided

Each MLB team’s current Hall of Famer

By Benjamin Chase

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 27: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first baseman Albert Pujols (5) and center fielder Mike Trout (27) head for the dugout after both scored on an Angels hit in the seventh inning of a game against the New York Yankees played on April 27, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 27: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first baseman Albert Pujols (5) and center fielder Mike Trout (27) head for the dugout after both scored on an Angels hit in the seventh inning of a game against the New York Yankees played on April 27, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
22 of 30
Next
MLB Hall of Fame
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL – MARCH 01: Willy Adames #27 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws during a Grapefruit League spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Charlotte Sports Park on March 1, 2017 in Port Charlotte, Florida. The game ended in a 5-5 tie. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Tampa Bay Rays: Willy Adames

A consensus top 25-30 prospect the past two seasons, many thought Adames would break camp with the Rays, and as they’ve moved a few players who play positions where he could break into the major leagues, he’s been the assumed call up, but the Rays continue to fill the spot with another player each time. That will change very soon.

Adames has started 2018 with a strong showing, taking walks at an impressive level, hitting for average, power, and taking plenty of walks as well. He’s been most impressive defensively, where he’s gone from a guy that many scouts were concerned may require a move off of shortstop to a guy who should work at the position long-term with excellent hands and good first-step reads off the bat.

Adames has a powerful line-drive swing that will pound the walls with doubles and likely produce 15-20 home runs, possibly 25 or more in his absolute peak seasons. He’s an above-average runner, but he’s not a gifted base stealer, so he’ll likely not give a lot of production in that category.

With the way the Rays cycle through players, it will be telling to see if Adames signs long-term with the team early on in his career, akin to what Evan Longoria did. If he signs early on to lock himself in as a long-term Rays player, he should have a good chance to be in the MLB Hall of Fame wearing a Rays hat.

Next: Red Sox

Home/MLB