Russ Adams

Infielder

Born: August 30, 1980 (age 36)
Laurinburg, North Carolina

Batted: Left

Threw: Right

MLB debut

September 3, 2004, for the Toronto Blue Jays

Last MLB appearance

June 30, 2009, for the Toronto Blue Jays

MLB statistics

Batting average

.247

Home runs

Runs batted in

113

Teams

Toronto Blue Jays (2004–2007, 2009)

Russ Moore Adams (born August 30, 1980) is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets organizations. Adams bats left-handed and throws with his right hand.

Adams played college ball at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His strong season in 2002, when he batted .370 with 45 steals, led to the Toronto Blue Jays drafting him in the 1st round (14th overall) in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft, ahead of Scott Kazmir, Nick Swisher, Cole Hamels, Jeff Francoeur, Matt Cain, and Canadian Joey Votto.

Adams was named to the New York–Penn League all-star team in 2002 while playing for the Auburn Doubledays.

Adams was brought up to the major league club late in the 2004 season and had his official rookie season in 2005. He was used primarily in the lead-off position in the lineup. Adams finished the 2005 season with a .256 batting average, .325 OBP, 27 doubles, 5 triples, 8 home runs, and 11 stolen bases. Adams finished seventh in the AL in sacrifice flies and tenth in the American League in at bats per strikeout. Adams was named to the Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team along with teammate Gustavo Chacín. However, he made 26 errors in the field for the Blue Jays and was often criticized for his throwing arm.

He played shortstop before being optioned to the Jays' Triple-A affiliate, the Syracuse Chiefs on May 25, 2006 (along with Josh Towers). On June 12, 2006, he was recalled by the Blue Jays after playing 17 games for Syracuse. After having trouble with the bat since his call up, and due to teammate Aaron Hill's struggles at short, he was removed as the second baseman, with Hill switching over to second and utility man John McDonald taking the shortstop role previously occupied by Hill. He was optioned back to Syracuse on July 30 so that he could receive more playing time.

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Wikipedia