Willy Adames (SS, TB) - Week 22 Waiver Wire Pickups

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OWNED IN: 17% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Now presenting Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Willy Adames, showing for the umpteenth time that the development of prospects is not always a linear process. The 23-year-old has had an up-and-down first two seasons, with a solid rookie year where he slashed .278/.348/.406, with 10 home runs and a 109 wRC+ in 85 games and 323 plate appearances. But the followup has been a bit softer, with the Rays probably expecting more than a .235 AVG and 83 wRC+ through the end of July. But Adames still has 16 HR on the year and has really turned it on since the start of August, slashing .333/.390/.520 with four home runs, 9 RBI, and 14 runs scored in his last 83 PA.

The numbers don't seem to be a fluke either, as their coming has coincided with a marked change in Adames plate-discipline and contact profile since August 1. Adames has always had a lot of swing-and-miss in his game, and his season prior to the start of August wasn't any different, with a 12.6% swinging-strike rate and a 28.6% K-rate. But in those 83 plate appearances since, Adames is down to a 13.3% K-rate that's backed up by a 7% SwStr. And over this time period, not only is his 84.5% contact-rate up 11 points, but his 47.7% hard-hit rate is up seven points, as well. So he's hitting the ball harder and more often? This looks like a talented prospect who has adjusted back to the league and is turning a corner towards actualizing his premium tools. Add accordingly.