Rockies Year in Review: Cristhian Adames

Here at Rox Pile, we are starting a player review for each and every player that suited up in a Colorado Rockies uniform this season. This series will be going all the way up until Dec. 15 with player profiles posted every day.

Today, we are featuring Rockies infielder Cristhian Adames.

Cristhian Adames got his first taste of the major leagues in 2015. He was called up on September first and got sporadic playing time at shortstop and second base, totaling 13 starts in 24 games. Signed in 2007 out of the Dominican Republic, Adames made his MLB début in 2014 and appeared in six games for the Rockies.

Rated as the #20 prospect by MLB.com and #12 by our friends at Purple Row, Adames never projected as more than an average hitter. Defense was always his calling card. He played pretty well in the field when he was given time, with only two errors over those 24 games and a range factor per nine innings of 5.09. To compare: Troy Tulowitzki posted a 4.51 RF/9 with Toronto and Colorado, Jose Reyes had a 4.38 RF/9 in 2015 and Daniel Descalso finished with a 5.17 RF/9 in the middle infield. Side note, Reyes was actually better in Colorado than he was in Toronto, if you can believe it.

Adames’ plate appearances weren’t as great; he mustered only 13 hits in 52 at bats. He also struck out 11 times for a strikeout percentage of 20.75%, which is somewhat normal for a 23-year-old facing major league pitching for the first time. His previous numbers also suggest that the trend wouldn’t continue; he’s never struck out more than 83 times in a season.  

Adames 2015: 53 AB, .245 BA, .298 OBP, .302 SLG, 1 2B, 1 3B, 3 RBI

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Adames projects as a utility player, featuring a solid glove across the infield and a contact bat. He’d be a perfect – and cheap – fit in the fourth infielder sport for Colorado, spelling LeMahieu, Arenado and Story/Reyes (whoever has the shortstop spot) on days off and pending injuries. One problem; he’s blocked by Descalso, a player who slashed .205/.283/.324 in 2015. Descalso has one year left on his contract and is owed 2.1 million, but I can see the Rockies eating that salary to give Adames a chance. Adames has the upside and room for improvement whereas Descalso might improve his numbers, be we know the player he is. Play for the future and give Adames the chance to prove himself.

Overall Grade: C

Next: Rockies Year in Review: Kyle Parker

Check out our continuing 2015 Player Review series with the latest installment, first baseman/outfielder Kyle Parker.