Melvin Adon, RHP. DOB: 6/9/1994. 6'3", 235 lbs. International Free Agent 2014.
2018 A+: 2-5, 4.87, 77.2 IP, 8.23 K/9, 3.94 BB/9, 1.97 GB/FB.
2018 AFL: 0-1, 2.92, 12.1 IP, 21 K, 3 BB, GO/AO= 1.67.
Melvin Adon is this high on the list for one reason: He can throw a baseball 100 MPH for 6 or 7 innings. Even in today's game where hitting triple digits is not unusual, doing it deep into games as a starter is. The problem for Adon is he doesn't always command the pitch and we haven't even gotten to his secondary stuff which is even more of a challenge for him. The slider is a plus pitch when he commands it, but he does it inconsistently. After struggling all season as a SP for the San Jose Giants, Adon went down to the Arizona Fall League and was lights out pitching out of the bullpen.
I saw Melvin Adon pitch in April 2018 for the SJ Giants in San Bernardino and he looked overweight, soft and out of shape. I just looked at video of him pitching in the AFL late in November and he had slimmed down noticeably. He has a loose arm with a fluid motion that is somewhat similar to Madison Bumgarner's except from the right side. The ball comes in like a laser and explodes into the catcher's glove.
I guess the big question is whether to continue to try to develop him as a SP or try to fast-track him as a reliever. Personally, I would like to see the Giants send him to AA as a SP and see if he can carry the mojo he found in Arizona to the pitcher-friendly Eastern League and have a breakout. It's a lot easier to convert a pitcher from starting to relieving than the other way and it's too early to give up on his ability to carry that velocity deep into games.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Adon strikes me as a guy that you roll the dice on as a SP. As you point out Doc, there just aren't that many guys who can maintain high 90's velo through seven +/- innings. If his command improves, the Giants are looking at a top-of-the-rotation SP. There is surely a risk that running the SP route inhibits his path to the majors if it turns out he needs to go to the bullpen, but it sure seems like that is a risk worth taking.
ReplyDeleteThat high of velocity through long innings screams to me an injury candidate. Especially if it is combined with a lack of control. If he can harness it, I would think he might be a good to great closer. I have not seen him pitch. How is the movement on his fastballs?
ReplyDeleteWell, all pitchers are at risk for injury and velocity does correlate with injury risk, but it you look at Adon's delivery, it is actually a low stress motion, especially at the elbow. It's very similar to Bumgarner's except from the right side.
DeleteI can see why you would prefer to see Adon get another shot as a starting pitcher. You easily know more than me about baseball (And Medicine!). But I would prefer Adon going to the bullpen and possibly fast tracking it up to the majors. He turns 25 in June. The Giants keep trying him as a starter and it takes him probably 2 years, at least, to make it to the majors. If he can even make it with said control issues. How much of a successful window would he even have? Isn't 30 long in the tooth for power starting pitchers nowadays? Per Fangraphs "Generally, pitchers see their velocity peak in their early 20s and steadily decline by a full mile per hour by age 26. After that, velocity drops more sharply and continues a steep decline into a pitcher’s 30s. Strikeout rates were tied to velocity, but not as closely after age 26." Got to start thinking about getting him to the majors sooner than later. Also how many power starting pitchers have durability issues? Even the young ones. Syndergaard missed a big chunk of 2017. And he was 24 then, about the same age as Adon is now. The Cardinals are still waiting on Alex Reyes. If Adon makes it to the Giants as a reliever, he has a real chance to be a closer or just as good, a Andrew Miller type rally stopper. Can you imagine how good a Giants bullpen could be with Adon's heat and Moronta's slider? That would be brutal.
ReplyDeleteYou can definitely make a case to switch Adon to the reliever track. My argument is you can do that very quickly at any time, but once you do it, it's very difficult to reverse.
DeleteBrayvic Valera come on down you are number 39 on the 40 man roster! Farhan’s masterpiece is coming together like the Sistine Chapel! On a scale of -1000 to 10 how excited are you about these offseason moves Dr. B?
ReplyDeleteJust need to sign a switch-pitching SP who can also switch-hit and play backup C.
DeleteBTW - why should Venditte have to signal which arm he's going to throw with? That rule needs to be removed...
What about when he faces a switch-hitter?
DeleteFWIW, Giants acquire versatile infielder Breyvic Valera -- well, BReYviC is close to BRYCe, and he plays OF, too, and he gets on base!
ReplyDeleteBrings 40-man to 39...