Russ Adams
Free Agent — No. --
Shortstop / Second baseman
Born: August 30, 1980 (1980-08-30) (age 29) Laurinburg, North Carolina
Bats: Left	Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 3, 2004 for the Toronto Blue Jays
Career statistics (through September 2, 2009)
Batting average	.247
Home runs	17
Runs batted in	113
Teams
Toronto Blue Jays (2004-2007, 2009)

Russ Moore Adams (born August 30, 1980 in Laurinburg, North Carolina) is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently a free agent. Adams bats left-handed and throws with his right hand.

[edit] Collegiate career and draft

Adams played college ball at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His strong season in 2002, when he batted .370 with 45 steals, led to the Toronto Blue Jays drafting him in the 1st round (14th overall) in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft, ahead of Scott Kazmir, Nick Swisher, Cole Hamels, Jeff Francouer, Matt Cain, and Canadian Joey Votto.

[edit] Professional career

Adams was named to the New York - Penn League all-star team in 2002 while playing for the Auburn Doubledays.

Adams was brought up to the major league club late in the 2004 season and had his official rookie season in 2005. He was used primarily in the lead-off position in the lineup. Adams finished the 2005 season with a .256 batting average, .325 OBP, 27 doubles, 5 triples, 8 home runs, and 11 stolen bases. Adams finished seventh in the AL in sacrifice flies and tenth in the American League in at bats per strikeout. Adams was named to the Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team along with teammate Gustavo Chacín ^[1]. However, he made 26 errors in the field for the Blue Jays and was often criticized for his throwing arm.^{[citation needed]}

He played shortstop before being optioned to the Jays' Triple-A affiliate, the Syracuse Chiefs on May 25, 2006 (along with Josh Towers).^{[citation needed]} On June 12, 2006, he was recalled by the Blue Jays after playing 17 games for Syracuse.^{[citation needed]} After having trouble with the bat since his call up,^{[citation needed]} and due to teammate Aaron Hill's struggles at short,^{[citation needed]} he was removed as the second baseman^{[citation needed]}, with Hill switching over to second and utility man John McDonald taking the shortstop role previously occupied by Hill. He was optioned back to Syracuse on July 30 so that he could receive more playing time.

Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi stated at the beginning of the 2007 season that Adams would begin 2007 in Triple-A, and would have to earn his way back onto the team.^{[citation needed]} On August 17, 2007, Russ was recalled from Triple-A and has played with the Jays as a utility infielder.^{[citation needed]} On September 19, 2007, he recorded his first-ever major league grand slam, against Jonathan Papelbon of the Boston Red Sox.^[2]

On February 5, 2009, Adams was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays to make room for T. J. Beam on the 40-man roster. On February 11, he was outrighted to the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s. While with Las Vegas, he played some games in the infield and outfield, and spent a month on the disabled list with a broken hand, but hit over .300 while active. On June 21, Adams' contract was purchased from Triple-A by the Blue Jays, as Joe Inglett was optioned back to Las Vegas. Adams singled in a pinch-hitting appearance that day against the Washington Nationals. GM Ricciardi said Adams would be a reserve infielder, left fielder, designated hitter and pinch hitter with Toronto.^[3] On July 3, 2009, Adams was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays after they called up David Dellucci from Triple-A Las Vegas. He cleared waivers and elected to become a free agent. He was claimed by the San Diego Padres, and is currently playing with their AAA affiliate Portland Beavers.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or The Baseball Cube
• Toronto Star