International League Player of the Week: RHP Chance Adams – Yankees

There were so many great performances this week in the International League.  An argument could be made for several players to take the top honors.  After the internal debate and discussion with myself, the list needed to dwindle down to just one player.  After going 2-0 and collecting 16 strikeouts, the Legends on Deck International League Player of the Week is Chance Adams of the Scranton/WB RailRiders.

The New York Yankees made Adams their fifth round pick in 2015.  He started his career with the Staten Island Yankees of the New York-Penn League, and quickly worked his way up to Class-A Advanced Tampa of the Florida State League, by seasons end.  He appeared in 14 games at the three different levels in 2015, and had a record of 3-1 with an ERA of 1.78.

Adams picked up where he left off at the start of 2016 playing for the Tampa Yankees.  He made his way to Double-A Trenton where he would impress with an 8-1 record with an ERA a little over two.  His work and effort wouldn’t go unnoticed with Yankees management and they would invite him to spring training this past offseason.

2017 would see Adams start out with Trenton and completely dominate.  He would earn a promotion to the minor leagues highest level in the middle of May.  So far with Scranton/WB, Adams is 3-1 with an ERA of 1.57.  He has given up just four runs in four total starts in Triple-A, and has recorded 27 strikeouts in 23 innings.

The Yankees who could be in some trouble in the pitching department over the next year of so, might not have to look very far for a solid pitcher to step in.  Adams certainly has put up the numbers for the organization to take notice, but the Yankees way of doing business is very different so its hard to know what the future has in store for the very talented righty from Texas.

Congratulations to Chance Adams for being named the Legends on Deck International League Player of the Week.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

It was a very offense-driven week in the International League.  One player that was off to an amazing start this week was the Columbus Clippers’ Eric Stamets.  Prior to being injured in the middle of the week, Stamets was hitting .846 (not a typo) with five home runs and 12 RBI in just four games.  He was 11-for-13 and well on his way to this award if it wasn’t for a strained back.

I was able to witness first hand the Charlotte Knights fire power earlier this week and had the chance to see Cody Asche.  Asche went 10-for-19 (.526) with four bombs and 12 RBI, and also scored seven runs of his own.  He was definitely in the discussion for PotW honors.

Lehigh Valley IronPigs combination of Nick Williams and Dylan Cozens went 20-for-52 with five home runs (Williams had four) and 18 RBI in an impressive week.  There were other teammates in consideration such as Pawtucket Red Sox Bryce Brentz and Steve Selsky who had a very good week as well.

On the pitching side of things, Toledo Mud Hens relief pitcher Daniel Stumpf collected two holds in his appearances this week, allowing just one hit and no runs in four innings of work.  Jeff Beliveau of the Buffalo Bisons had solid outings in relief as well.  Beliveau appeared in two games, logging 5.2 innings and didn’t allow a single base runner, while striking out eight.

The Columbus Clippers Julian Merryweather made his Triple-A debut this week and dazzled.  He went eight solid and promising innings giving up four hits without allowing a run, and had eight strikeouts to boot.

It’s a very exciting season so far for the International League with loads of talent to keep an eye on.