Tampa Bay Rays top prospect and #17 on the MLB Pipeline Top 100, Willy Adames has not quite had the electrifying start he was hoping for in AAA-Durham. Through 43 games, approximately 30 percent of the MiLB slate, Adames has taken a major step back offensively, compared to his outstanding debut season in AA in 2016.
His walk rates have dropped from 13% to 10.2% and his strikeout rate has leaped from 21.3% to 24.0%, causing his average to drop to .236 from .274 with Montgomery. It’s certainly understandable for a variety of reasons, and Rays fans should not be hitting the panic button.