Matthew James Adams, known to fans as Matt Adams, is a former professional baseball player who made his presence felt in Major League Baseball (MLB) primarily as a first baseman and outfielder. Born on August 31, 1988, in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, Adams attended Slippery Rock University, where he honed his skills on the diamond before being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 23rd round of the 2009 MLB Draft.
Adams began his professional career in the minor leagues, quickly demonstrating his power-hitting capabilities. His breakout year came in 2011 with the Springfield Cardinals, the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, where he hit .300 with 32 home runs and 101 RBIs. This performance earned him the Texas League Player of the Year award and a promotion to Triple-A Memphis in 2012.
His MLB debut came on May 20, 2012, with the St. Louis Cardinals. In his rookie season, Adams played in 27 games, hitting .244 with two home runs and 13 RBIs. Over the next few years, he became known for his ability to deliver in clutch situations, particularly with his power-hitting prowess. In 2013, he played a more significant role, appearing in 108 games and hitting .284 with 17 home runs and 51 RBIs. His performance helped the Cardinals reach the World Series, although they ultimately fell to the Boston Red Sox.
The 2014 season saw Adams solidify his role as the Cardinals' primary first baseman. He played in 142 games, posting a .288 batting average with 15 home runs and 68 RBIs. His defensive skills also improved, making him a reliable option at first base. However, injuries began to affect his career in 2015, limiting him to just 60 games. Despite this setback, he managed to hit .240 with five home runs and 24 RBIs.
Adams returned in 2016, playing in 118 games and hitting .249 with 16 home runs and 54 RBIs. However, with the emergence of other players, his role with the Cardinals began to diminish. In May 2017, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves, where he experienced a resurgence. In 100 games with the Braves, Adams hit .271 with 19 home runs and 58 RBIs, proving he could still be a valuable asset to a team.
In 2018, Adams signed with the Washington Nationals, where he continued to showcase his power-hitting ability. He hit .257 with 18 home runs and 48 RBIs in 94 games. Later that year, he was traded back to the Cardinals, where he finished the season. The following year, Adams returned to the Nationals and played a role in their 2019 World Series championship run, although he did not appear in the postseason due to injury.
Adams' career continued with brief stints with the New York Mets and a return to the Braves in 2020. In 2021, he signed with the Colorado Rockies, appearing in 22 games and hitting .167 with two home runs before being released in July. Throughout his career, Adams was known for his power at the plate, particularly against right-handed pitching, and his ability to come through in high-pressure situations.
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