BA GRADE
50
Risk: High
Born: June 9, 1994. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 195. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2015. Signed by: Pablo Peguero/Felix Peguero/Jesus Stephens.
The Giants have consistently searched the Dominican Republic for older prospects who were passed over. Adon is one of the prime examples of the payoffs for such scouting. He didn’t sign with the Giants until he was 20 and didn’t make his U.S. debut until he was 22. In 2017, he was arguably the hardest-throwing starting pitcher in the low Class A South Atlantic League.
Adon had a long way to go when he signed. For one thing, he couldn’t effectively pitch out of the stretch. He still is far from a finished product but he has made significant progress. He has toned down his slinging, low three-quarters delivery, but even though he can carry top-shelf velocity throughout his starts, scouts are nearly unanimous that his energetic delivery and lower release point will eventually lead him to the bullpen. Adon’s fastball is a top-of-the-scale pitch. He pitches at 95-100 mph as a starter with plenty of armside run on his fastball, and he touched 102 in relief stints. His slider will flash plus as well with downward break and exceptional power (88-91 mph). His less-developed changeup even flashes average, though he only uses it sporadically against lefties. Adon’s control and command improved in 2017 but it was still well below-average. More importantly, he needs to sequence pitches better. He’s predictable, which means hitters can sit on his fastball early in counts.
If Adon moved to the bullpen, he could move quickly as a pitcher with two potential standout pitches, but for now, there’s no reason for San Francisco to give up on developing him as a starter.
Year |
Club (League) |
Class |
W |
L |
ERA |
G |
GS |
2015 |
Giants (DSL) |
R |
4 |
0 |
2.48 |
14 |
14 |
2016 |
Salem-Keizer (NWL) |
SS |
5 |
5 |
5.48 |
14 |
14 |
2017 |
Augusta (SAL) |
LoA |
3 |
11 |
4.35 |
23 |
19 |
Minor League Totals |
12 |
16 |
4.12 |
51 |
47 |
||
Year |
Club (League) |
CG |
SV |
IP |
H |
HR |
2015 |
Giants (DSL) |
0 |
0 |
69 |
57 |
2 |
2016 |
Salem-Keizer (NWL) |
0 |
0 |
67 |
85 |
3 |
2017 |
Augusta (SAL) |
0 |
0 |
99 |
110 |
5 |
Minor League Totals |
0 |
0 |
236 |
252 |
10 |
|
Year |
Club (League) |
BB |
SO |
K/9 |
WHIP |
AVG |
2015 |
Giants (DSL) |
21 |
54 |
7.0 |
1.13 |
.223 |
2016 |
Salem-Keizer (NWL) |
34 |
55 |
7.4 |
1.77 |
.317 |
2017 |
Augusta (SAL) |
35 |
89 |
8.1 |
1.46 |
.277 |
Minor League Totals |
90 |
198 |
7.6 |
1.45 |
.274 |
|