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Riley Adams
Riley Adams
Riley Adams
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Riley Keaton Adams (born June 26, 1996) is an American professional baseball catcher in the Washington Nationals organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays. He played college baseball for the San Diego Toreros of the University of San Diego.

Key Information

High school and college

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Adams was born on June 26, 1996, in Encinitas, California.[1] He attended Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego, California. There he was a two-sport athlete, playing basketball and baseball. In basketball, Adams once recorded 31 rebounds in one game.[2] In baseball, he made the school's varsity baseball team in his freshman year as a shortstop. He switched to catcher as a sophomore, when his coach asked him to move to fill the open position.[3] The Chicago Cubs selected Adams in the 37th round, with the 1,099th overall selection, of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft, but he did not sign so that he could enroll at the University of San Diego.[4]

Adams played college baseball for the San Diego Toreros.[5][6] In the summer of 2016, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and was named a league all-star.[7][8] Adams was twice named a semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Award. As a junior in 2017, he won the West Coast Conference Player of the Year Award,[9] and finished his collegiate career with a .305 batting average, 24 home runs, and 110 runs batted in in 159 games played.[4]

Professional career

[edit]

Toronto Blue Jays

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Adams with the Buffalo Bisons in 2021

The Toronto Blue Jays selected Adams in the third round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft, with the 99th overall selection.[10] They signed him to a contract with a $542,000 signing bonus.[11] Adams made his professional debut with the Vancouver Canadians of the Low-A Northwest League,[12] and went on to start in the Northwest / Pioneer League All-Star Game.[9] Adams played in 52 games for the Canadians in 2017, and hit .305 with three home runs and 35 RBI.[13]

In 2018, Adams played for the Dunedin Blue Jays of the High-A Florida State League where he slashed .246/.352/.361 with four home runs and 43 RBI in 99 games.[14] In 2019 he appeared in 81 games for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, hitting .258 with 11 home runs.

Adams did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Minor League Baseball season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[15] He was added to the Blue Jays' 60-man player pool for the 2020 season but did not get called up.[16] On November 20, 2020, Adams was added to the 40-man roster.[17]

On May 2, 2021, Adams was promoted to the major leagues for the first time after backup catcher Alejandro Kirk was placed on the 10-day injured list with left hip flexor discomfort.[18] On May 5, Adams was optioned to Triple-A without making a major league appearance.[19] On June 8, Adams was again recalled to the active roster.[20] He made his MLB debut that day as the starting catcher against the Chicago White Sox. In the game, he notched his first career hit, a double off of White Sox starter Carlos Rodón.

Washington Nationals

[edit]

Adams was traded to the Washington Nationals for reliever Brad Hand on July 29, 2021.[21] He notched his first hit as a National, as well as his first career home run and RBI, off Atlanta Braves reliever Will Smith in the ninth inning, giving his team the late lead, on August 7.[22] In 35 games down the stretch, Adams hit .268 with two home runs and 10 RBI. Adams made 48 appearances for the Nationals during the 2022 campaign, slashing .176/.245/.310 with a career-high five home runs and 10 RBI.[23]

In 2023, Adams played in 44 games for Washington, batting .273/.331/.476 with 4 home runs and 21 RBI. On September 8, 2023, Adams was diagnosed with a fractured hamate bone in his left wrist.[24] On September 11, he underwent surgery for the injury, ending his season.[25]

Adams started the 2024 season on the major league roster, but was optioned to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings on June 2. Adams was sent down to get more playing time as both a catcher and a first baseman, rather than being limited to a backup role behind Nationals starting catcher Keibert Ruiz.[26] He eventually played in 41 games with the Nationals in 2024, batting .224/.292/.336 with two home runs and eight RBI.[27]

In 2025, Adams got significantly more playing time, after a series of concussions kept Ruiz out of play.[28] Adams played in 83 games for the team, and slashed .186/.252/.308, with eight home runs and 24 RBI.[27]

Adams was designated for assignment by Washington on January 22, 2026.[29] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings on January 28.[30]

Personal life

[edit]

Adams began practicing karate at the age of three. He earned a second degree black belt when he was 13 years old, and then began to focus on his baseball career.[4] His elder brother, Cameron, played college baseball at Washington University in St. Louis.[31]

Adams was an accomplished science fair competitor, notably for his studies of pampas grass which resulted in his participation in the California State Science Fair.[32] Adams was also a standout high school basketball player, earning All League honors as a sophomore, junior and senior.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Riley Adams

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Riley Keaton Adams (born June 26, 1996) is an American professional baseball catcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). Adams was born in Encinitas, California, and attended the University of San Diego, where he played college baseball for the San Diego Toreros. In his junior year, he started all 54 games, batting .312 with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs while leading the team with a .424 on-base percentage. Selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the third round (99th overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft, Adams began his professional career in the minor leagues, progressing through the Blue Jays' system as a catcher known for his right-handed batting and throwing. He made his MLB debut on June 8, 2021, with the Blue Jays, appearing in 12 games that season before being traded to the on July 29, 2021, in exchange for reliever . With the Nationals, Adams has served primarily as a backup , occasionally playing first base, and has appeared in 251 games since joining the team in 2021 (including 35 games in 2021 post-trade). Over his full MLB career, he has posted a .211 with 21 home runs and 73 RBIs in 763 at-bats. His most extensive playing time came in 2025, when he appeared in 83 games, including numerous starts in the latter half of the season, finishing with an .186 average, 8 home runs, and 24 RBIs over the year and an OPS of .560. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 263 pounds, Adams is noted for his power potential at the plate and defensive skills behind it, though he has yet to earn major awards or recognition in his career.

Early life and amateur career

Early life and family

Riley Adams was born on June 26, 1996, in Encinitas, California. He grew up in the Encinitas area, part of San Diego County's North County region, where youth sports are prominent in the local community. Adams is the son of Matt and Shelly Adams, both of whom were active in athletics during their own youth. His father, Matt, played basketball at the University of San Diego and later served as a P.A. announcer and official at local sports events, immersing the family in competitive environments from an early age. Shelly was a decorated high school athlete, excelling in softball, basketball, and volleyball, which contributed to a household emphasis on physical activity and teamwork. Adams also has an older brother, Cameron, who pitched collegiately at Washington University in St. Louis and supported Riley's games by managing music and attending key events. The Adams family's supportive approach, rooted in positive reinforcement and focusing on enjoyment and learning rather than criticism, played a key role in shaping Riley's early interest in . He was initially exposed to the sport through local youth leagues in the San Diego area, where family members often attended to encourage his development. This environment in Encinitas and broader fostered his passion for the game amid a region known for its strong baseball tradition.

High school career

Adams attended Canyon Crest Academy in , , where he emerged as a standout two-sport athlete in and . Initially playing during his year, he transitioned to as a after his coach asked him to fill the position vacancy on the , a move that shaped his future development behind the plate. During his junior and senior seasons on the varsity team, Adams showcased strong offensive skills, particularly in his senior year of 2014, when he batted .455 with a .635 over 31 games, recording 35 hits, 41 runs, and 22 RBIs. Defensively, he demonstrated reliability as a , achieving a perfect 1.000 in key games and earning recognition for his in the position. His performance ranked him among the top prospects in , placing third in the state at and 33rd overall, while nationally he was rated 26th among catchers and 209th overall. Adams committed to the for , drawing interest from programs valuing his versatile athleticism. In the 2014 MLB Draft, the Chicago Cubs selected him in the 37th round (1,099th overall) out of Canyon Crest Academy, but he declined to sign, honoring his commitment to play collegiate with the Toreros.

College career

Riley Adams played for the Toreros from 2015 to 2017, serving as the team's primary throughout his tenure. As a in 2015, he appeared in 49 games, batting .269 with five home runs and 26 RBIs while posting an percentage (OPS) of .767. That summer, Adams played for the La Crosse Loggers of the , where he hit .257 with two home runs over 23 games. In his season of 2016, Adams started all 56 games and raised his performance, hitting .327 with 18 doubles, six home runs, and 37 RBIs, along with a .955 . He was named a semifinalist for the Award, recognizing the top collegiate in the nation. Over his three college seasons, Adams compiled a .305 , 24 home runs, and a .915 , demonstrating consistent power and plate discipline from behind the plate. Adams' junior year in 2017 marked his most decorated campaign, as he started all 54 games and batted .312 with 12 doubles, 13 home runs, 47 RBIs, and a .988 , leading the team in walks (33) and (.424). He earned (WCC) Player of the Year honors and was again a semifinalist for the Award. Additionally, Adams was selected as a preseason All-American and reached base safely in 15 consecutive games at one point, contributing to team leadership as the starting .

Professional career

Draft and minor league career

Adams was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the third round (99th overall) of the out of the . He signed with the team for a slot-value bonus of $542,400 and was assigned to the Low-A of the to begin his professional career. In 52 games that season, Adams batted .305 with three home runs, 35 RBIs, a .374 , and a .438 , while demonstrating strong defensive skills by throwing out 40% of baserunners attempting to steal (19 of 47). Promoted to High-A in 2018, Adams spent the full season with the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State League, appearing in 99 games and hitting .246 with four home runs, 43 RBIs, a .352 , and a .361 . Defensively, he continued to excel behind the plate, catching 46% of would-be base stealers (43 of 94). In 2019, he split time between High-A Dunedin and Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Eastern League, batting .277 with three home runs in 19 games at Dunedin before transitioning to New Hampshire, where he hit .258 with 11 home runs and 39 RBIs in 81 games. Overall that year, Adams posted a .261 , 14 home runs, a .366 , and a .443 across 100 games, though his caught stealing percentage dipped to 31% at the higher level. The 2020 minor league season was cancelled due to the , preventing Adams from gaining on-field experience that year. Entering 2021 as a non-roster invitee, Adams performed solidly for the Blue Jays, going 3-for-11 (.273) with one and two doubles in nine games caught. Following camp, he received his first Triple-A assignment with the of the , where he appeared in 36 games, batting .233 with seven s and a .372 . On July 29, 2021, midway through the season, Adams was traded to the in exchange for .

Toronto Blue Jays

Adams made his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays on June 8, 2021, as a against the , where he recorded his first career hit—a double to center field in the fifth inning off starter —going 1-for-3 in the game. Called up from Triple-A Buffalo earlier that season to provide depth behind primary catchers and , Adams served as a backup during his brief stint with the Jays. In 2021, Adams appeared in 12 games for , primarily as a , batting .107 (3-for-28) with two doubles, and a .167 , reflecting his limited offensive opportunities in a reserve role. His defensive contributions included handling a pitching staff in transition, though he posted a -0.4 over 30 plate appearances, underscoring his developmental stage at the major league level. On July 29, 2021, the Blue Jays traded Adams to the in exchange for left-handed reliever , as sought to bolster its ahead of the trade deadline amid a push for the playoffs. Hand, who had recorded 21 saves that season, addressed the Jays' need for late-inning reliability in a relief corps that had struggled with consistency.

Washington Nationals

Adams was acquired by the from the Toronto Blue Jays in a trade for reliever on July 29, 2021. He made his first start for the Nationals on August 4, 2021, and recorded his first hit as a National shortly thereafter. In 2021, he appeared in 35 games for the Nationals, batting .268 with 2 home runs and 10 RBIs. In 48 games during the 2022 season, primarily as the backup to , Adams batted .176 with 5 home runs and 10 RBI, while contributing to game-calling duties in a rebuilding Nationals lineup. The 2023 season marked Adams' first full year in the majors without assignments, appearing in 44 games with a .273 , 4 home runs, and 21 RBI, along with a strong .807 percentage in 158 plate appearances. His performance highlighted improved plate discipline and power potential as the No. 2 , where he focused on defensive preparation and pitch framing despite limited starts. In 2024, Adams split time between the majors and Triple-A , playing 41 MLB games with a .224 average, 2 s, and 8 RBI. He was recalled on July 3 after batting well in the minors. Earlier highlights included two doubles on April 14 against the and a solo on April 19 versus the Astros, underscoring his utility in spot starts during the team's rebuild. Adams received increased opportunities in 2025, appearing in a career-high 83 games and changing his uniform number to 15 in April. He posted a .186 batting average with 8 home runs—his personal best—and 24 RBI, showing power in a .560 OPS while serving as Ruiz's primary backup. Late in the season, Adams contributed to team efforts with a go-ahead two-run single on August 21 against the Mets and a three-run homer on August 22, aiding the Nationals' sporadic wins amid their rebuilding phase. He also provided key defensive contributions, including a notable tumbling catch to secure a win on August 10 against the Giants. Throughout his tenure, Adams has emphasized game-calling and catcher preparation as essential to his role, even with part-time playing time.

Personal life

Adams began practicing at the age of three and earned a second-degree black belt by age 13, after which he shifted his focus to . He married Courtney Maye in 2021 at the First Baptist Church in Marietta, .

References

  1. https://www.mlb.com/player/riley-adams-656180
  2. https://usdtoreros.com/sports/baseball/roster/riley-adams/53
  3. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/adamsri03.shtml
  4. https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/40655/riley-adams
  5. https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/fatherly-motivation-guided-riley-adams-blue-jays/
  6. https://patch.com/california/encinitas/encinitas-native-riley-adams-makes-mlb-debut-blue-jays
  7. https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/riley-adams-seizes-next-spot-in-cradle-of-catchers/
  8. https://www.maxpreps.com/ca/san-diego/canyon-crest-academy-ravens/athletes/riley-adams/baseball/stats/?careerid=pg14katektl11
  9. https://www.perfectgame.org/players/playerprofile.aspx?ID=288289
  10. https://www.usdtoreros.com/sports/baseball/roster/riley-adams/53
  11. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=adams-000ril
  12. https://usdtoreros.com/news/2017/6/2/Riley_Adams_has_sights_set_on_Johnny_Bench_Award
  13. https://www.herdchronicles.com/single-post/conversations-with-the-herd-washington-nationals-catcher-riley-adams
  14. https://uofsdmedia.com/meet-riley-adams-usds-preseason-all-american/
  15. https://www.mlb.com/news/2017-draft-signing-and-bonus-tracker-c237042574
  16. https://www.mlb.com/news/brad-hand-trade
  17. https://www.mlb.com/video/riley-adams-first-career-hit
  18. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31912438/toronto-blue-jays-address-bullpen-issues-acquiring-closer-brad-hand-washington-nationals
  19. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=adamsri03
  20. https://www.mlb.com/news/riley-adams-gets-first-start-with-nationals
  21. https://www.mlb.com/news/riley-adams-looks-to-build-on-2023-season
  22. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/06/12/riley-adams-nationals-future/
  23. https://www.mlb.com/nationals/video/riley-adams-hits-two-doubles-for-nationals
  24. https://www.mlb.com/nationals/video/riley-adams-homers-2-on-a-fly-ball-to-center-field
  25. https://www.milb.com/player/riley-adams-656180
  26. https://www.mlb.com/news/riley-adams-go-ahead-single-lifts-nationals-to-series-victory
  27. https://www.mlb.com/nationals/video/riley-adams-homers-8-on-a-fly-ball-to-center-field-cj-abrams-scores-josh
  28. https://www.mlb.com/nationals/video/clayton-beeter-in-play-out-s-to-wilmer-flores
  29. https://nationalpost.com/sports/baseball/from-a-black-belt-to-home-runs-riley-adams-can-do-it-all
  30. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/opening-day-brothers-point-view-035900657.html
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