Seattle Mariners Top 5 Candidates for 2020 closer role
Austin Adams, Seattle Mariners
Austin Adams
The Seattle Mariners acquired Austin Adams on May 4, 2019, from Washington, after the Nats designated him for assignment. Adams spent nine days at Triple-A Tacoma before being summoned to Seattle.
Working out of the bullpen, Adams showed some positive results. He was good enough for the Mariners to promote him to a setup man. From his first appearance in a Seattle uniform on May 13 through July 2, the tall (6-3) righty had a 2.38 ERA in 20 appearances. The next day he injured his right shoulder, which put him on the injured list for six weeks.
Adams completed rehab assignments at Tacoma and Double-A Arkansas. He returned to the Mariners on September 1. Unfortunately, Adams wasn’t the same pitcher. In eight late-season games, he had a 4.91 ERA in 7.1 innings. Another injury cut his 2019 season short.
In February, the Former University of Sout Florida Bulls star had to have ACL reconstructive surgery. The original recovery estimate said he would miss at least half of the 2020 season. If the season does resume in July, Adams could be ready to take his place in the bullpen.
Armed with a very tough slider to get a bat on, Adams has his out-pitch. At first, the Mariners plan to use him in a setup role as he continues his recovery. He has a fiery personality to go along with that wicked slider, which makes him a nice option to be Seattle’s closer eventually.
Austin Adams. Filthy. #GoMariners pic.twitter.com/2vqZn8AFwh
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) June 27, 2019