Prep Baseball Report

Q&A with Illinois State Commit SS Alex Adams (Lafayette, 2018)



Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

Recently, Alex Adams (Lafayette, 2018) committed to continue his college career at Illinois State. 

Here is a look inside the recruiting process for Adams, along information from his profile.

 

Alex Adams

Class of 2018 / SS

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2018
  • Primary Position: SS
    Secondary Position: RHP
  • High School: Lafayette
    State: MO
  • Summer Team: St. Louis Prospects
  • Height: 6-2
    Weight: 200lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

Statistics

Pitching
87
Max FB
(09/29/20)
86 - 87
FB
(09/29/20)
73 - 75
CB
82 - 82
CH
(09/29/20)
72 - 73
SL
(09/29/20)
Pitching
Max FB
87
FB
86 - 87
CH
82 - 82
SL
72 - 73
Position
6.91
60-yard
90
INF Velo
90
OF Velo
93
Exit Velo
(09/29/20)
4.10
H-1st
Position
60-yard
7
INF Velo
86
Exit Velo
93
Trackman - Fastball
87.2
Velocity (max)
(09/29/20)
86.4 - 87.2
Velo Range
(09/29/20)
86.7
Eff Velocity (avg)
(09/29/20)
2188
Spin Rate (max)
(09/29/20)
2158
Spin Rate (avg)
(09/29/20)
IVB (max)
(09/29/20)
IVB (avg)
(09/29/20)
HM (max)
(09/29/20)
HM (avg)
(09/29/20)
Extension (avg)
(09/29/20)
Release Ht (avg)
(09/29/20)
Spin Score (max)
(09/29/20)
Zone %
(09/29/20)
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
87.2
Velo Range
86.4 - 87.2
Eff Velocity (avg)
86.7
Spin Rate (max)
2188
Spin Rate (avg)
2158
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - Curveball
73.6
Velocity (max)
(09/29/20)
72.1 - 73.4
Velo Range
(09/29/20)
71.6
Eff Velocity (avg)
(09/29/20)
2347
Spin Rate (max)
(09/29/20)
2284
Spin Rate (avg)
(09/29/20)
IVB (max)
(09/29/20)
IVB (avg)
(09/29/20)
HM (max)
(09/29/20)
HM (avg)
(09/29/20)
Extension (avg)
(09/29/20)
Release Ht (avg)
(09/29/20)
Spin Score (max)
(09/29/20)
Zone %
(09/29/20)
Trackman - Curveball
Velocity (max)
73.6
Velo Range
72.1 - 73.4
Eff Velocity (avg)
71.6
Spin Rate (max)
2347
Spin Rate (avg)
2284
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - ChangeUp
82.5
Velocity (max)
(09/29/20)
81.1 - 82.5
Velo Range
(09/29/20)
82.3
Eff Velocity (avg)
(09/29/20)
2209
Spin Rate (max)
(09/29/20)
2075
Spin Rate (avg)
(09/29/20)
IVB (max)
(09/29/20)
IVB (avg)
(09/29/20)
HM (max)
(09/29/20)
HM (avg)
(09/29/20)
Extension (avg)
(09/29/20)
Release Ht (avg)
(09/29/20)
Spin Score (max)
(09/29/20)
Zone %
(09/29/20)
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
82.5
Velo Range
81.1 - 82.5
Eff Velocity (avg)
82.3
Spin Rate (max)
2209
Spin Rate (avg)
2075
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - Hitting
93.2
Exit Velocity (max)
(09/29/20)
84.6
Exit Velocity (avg)
(09/29/20)
282
Distance (avg)
(09/29/20)
325
Distance (max)
(09/29/20)
Hard Hit %
(09/29/20)
Sweet Spot %
(09/29/20)
Line Drive %
(09/29/20)
Fly Ball %
(09/29/20)
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
93.2
Exit Velocity (avg)
84.6
Distance (avg)
282
Distance (max)
325
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Blast - Hitting
26.9
Hand Speed (max)
(09/29/20)
25.0
Hand Speed (avg)
(09/29/20)
87.4
Bat Speed (max)
(09/29/20)
73.3
Bat Speed (avg)
(09/29/20)
Rot. Acc (max)
(09/29/20)
Rot. Acc (avg)
(09/29/20)
On Plane Eff (avg)
(09/29/20)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
(09/29/20)
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
26.9
Hand Speed (avg)
25
Bat Speed (max)
87.4
Bat Speed (avg)
73.3
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency

Pitch_Scores

Pitch Scores - Fastball
Hop+
(09/29/20)
Rise+
(09/29/20)
Sink+
(09/29/20)
Pitch Scores - Fastball
Hop+
Rise+
Sink+
Pitch Scores - Curveball
Hammer+
(09/29/20)
Sweep+
(09/29/20)
Pitch Scores - Curveball
Hammer+
Sweep+

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?

Adams: My expectation was to obtain a scholarship to allow me to play baseball in college. The recruiting process was long.


PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Adams: Yes, I wanted to stay close enough to home so that my friends and family could visit me and still watch me play.


PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?

Adams: I’ve played with and against a lot of good players, it would be tough to choose just one.


PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are

Adams: Workout at the gym and play more than 1 sport to build athleticism, work on skills in the off season


PBR: What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?

Adams: Play other sports- football and basketball- to stay in shape and work other muscle groups, workout and train


PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Adams: Committing to Illinois State! Also hitting a homerun in my high school district championship game.


PBR: What do you like most about Illinois State and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Adams: Location/proximity to home, size of the school, baseball and sports facilities, and the competition level of the Missouri Valley Conference


PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?

Adams: After my sophomore and junior Summer's playing ball


PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals?

Adams: The expectation is district champs, but my goal is State champs

PBR: Where do you play in the summer? And what has been your most memorable experience with them?

Adams: I’ve played select baseball the last four years with the St. Louis Prospects. I have a lot of great memories from all the teammates I’ve had over the years.

Scouting Report

2/20/17 - Adams is a 6-foot-2 195-pound right-handed hitting outfielder, right-handed pitcher and shortstop in Missouri’s 2018 class.  He ran a 4.10 home to first and a has an exit veto of 88 mph. At the plate, smooth load into back leg, some hand movement, quiet, short in line stride, consistent line drives gap-to-gap, power to middle and pull side.  In the outfield, 90 mph positional velo, loose over the top release, arm works, throws down hill, athletic footwork, momentum through the catch, fluid exchange. On the infield, 90 mph positional velo, athletic actions, smooth transfer with hands and feet in sync, high three quarters release, feet work through the catch with momentum to throw. On the mound, Adams comes from a high three quarters release, quick arm action, throws with regular effort, in line down the mound, smooth tempo in delivery, repeats, high number of strikes, command of three pitches, fastball 84-86 mph, heavy, spun an 11-to-5 breaking ball, hard slider break, late action, 72-75 mph, throws change up at 78-80 mph, fastball arm speed, sinking action late.

8/4/16 - Adams posted one of the best 60 times for Team Missouri at 6.97-seconds.  He was 84 mph across the infield and registered an 88 mph exit velo.  Against Team Select, Adams tripled and was hit by a pitch.  Against Kentucky, A lean 6-foot-1 185 pounds he made all of the plays he had the opportunity to make ranging to his glove side to make a very solid play up the middle. Offensively he had a balanced set-up with a short level swing which resulted in a single to left field.  On the mound, Adams worked 79-82 mph with his fastball, earing one strikeout during his inning of work.  He flashed an 11-to-5 breaking ball at 69-73 mph and a change up at 76-77 mph.

6/14/16 - Adams is a 6-foot-1 190-pound right-handed hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2018 class.  He ran a 6.91 60, one of the top times of the event, and a 4.54 home-to-first.  He has an exit velo of 81 mph. At the plate, wide set up, smooth load, consistent hard line drives gap-to-gap during batting practice, loose hands, quick bat speed, singled to left center in game action.  On the infield, over the top release, moves well to the ball, fluid footwork, clean transfer with accurate throws, throws have carry, 84 mph positional velo. On the mound, Adams has a high three-quarters release, smooth rhythm, repeats, throws with regular effort, good body control, arm drops to lower slot on occasions, fastball at 76-82 mph, some with late run, curveball at 68-69 mph, 11-to-5 shape, change up at 75-77 mph, slight sink, did not allow a hit in outing, worked both sides of the plate, strike thrower, three strikeouts and a walk.

1/31/16 - Adams’ delivery is smooth and repeatable, with some effort. The arm action is stiff at times but remains at a high ¾ release and he does a good job of working downhill. There is an upward trend in regards to his fastball as is it is currently 78-82 mph, that will occasionally have some arm side run. Change-up is  between 70-76 mph, with good fade and is tough to pick up. Curveball has 11-to-5 break and shows the potential to be sharp when located down in the zone. Adams’ easy delivery, athletic build and continued upward trend will make him a prospect to keep an eye on in the future.He ran a 7.16 60, one of the top for the event, and has an exit velo of 88 mph, one of top RHH exit velos for the event. At the plate, Adams starts in a balanced position, linear load in back leg, minimal hand movement, to tap, short stride, quick hands, level path to extension, solid consistent contact, power potential. On the infield, fluid actions, soft hands, clean glove to hand exchange, quick release, accurate throws, 75 mph positional velo.

6/16/15 - Adams is a 6-foot-1, 175-pound right hand-hitting shortstop in Missouri’s 2018 class. He ran a 60 time of 7.27. He throws from a high 3/4 arm slot. Alex has fluid footwork and a clean exchange. His position velo was 72 mph. At the plate, Adams has an athletic setup with a back load. Alex has a swing that produces up the middle line drives. His exit velo was 80 mph. Alex posted a max fastball velo of 77 mph. Adams has a high 3/4 release and throws with regular effort.  Adams worked at 73-77 mph with his fastball. He has an 11-to-5 curveball that stays down, 64-67 mph. His change-up has downward movement and was thrown at 66-67 mph.


Player News

For More Missouri Q&A