Former P-O star should go in MLB draft

Adams likely to be taken Wednesday

By Guy Cipriano

Former Philipsburg-Osceola standout Matt Adams bats left-handed. Baseballs launched to right field of the new Yankee Stadium travel far and fast.

Adams

View larger

With that in mind, Adams arrived at a pre-draft workout eager to hit at one of baseball’s most-debated stadiums. Adams’ review?

“Balls carry well to the gaps,” he said.

Wherever Adams, who completed his junior season at Slippery Rock last month, hits, the ball seems to carry, a fact not lost in scouting reports filed by major-league organizations, including the New York Yankees.

Adams, one of the most heavily scouted left-handed hitters in recent Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference history, expects to hear his name called during this week’s Major League Baseball Draft.

The three-day event begins with the first three rounds Tuesday. Rounds 4-30 are Wednesday and the draft concludes with the final 20 rounds Thursday.

The Yankees were one of three organizations to invite Adams to a pre-draft workout. Adams also worked out with the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals after ending his junior season at Slippery Rock.

When and where Adams will fall remains a mystery, although it’s unlikely he slides past the draft’s second day.

“I really haven’t heard anything about what round I might go,” said Adams, 2006 P-O graduate. “But all the area scouts have been calling.”

The reason Pennsylvania and Northeast scouts flocked to Adams’ games this spring are obvious: He displays a powerful, efficient left-handed swing.

Adams led Division II with a school-record .495 batting average this spring. He also belted 14 homers and recorded 64 RBIs while recording impressive .566 on-base and .853 slugging percentages.

Adams batted above .420 in his first three college seasons. He took a big step last summer toward erasing questions about the college competition he faced by hitting .351 with seven homers and 37 RBIs in the wood bat and Division I-filled New England Collegiate Summer League. Adams was named the league’s Most Valuable Player.

“He did right thing by leaving home, which was hard for him, and playing up there in New England,” P-O coach Doug Sankey said. “He went up there and got the MVP, and of course, received a lot of exposure.”

Adams played catcher, first base and designated hitter last summer. Questions exist about his future position.

Some scouts view the 6-foot-3, 245-pound Adams as a catcher. Others want him at first base.

“I have no preference,” he said.

Adams continues the trend of recent P-O graduates receiving serious draft interest.

The Cleveland Indians selected outfielder Adam White in the ninth round of the 2007 draft. White currently plays for the organization’s low-Class A affiliate in Lake County, Ohio.

The Baltimore Orioles selected Josh Potter in the 23rd round of the 2001 draft and he spent six seasons in the minor leagues. In 1996, two P-O graduates were drafted, with the Detroit Tigers selecting outfielder Justin Hazelton in 10th round and the Texas Rangers snagging pitcher Tony Petulla in the 30th round. Four years later, the Houston Astros selected Petulla in the 25th round.

“We have what I refer to as ballplayers, kids that are really good athletes that you can make into good baseball players,” Sankey said. “For some reason, we always have kids that have baseball knowledge. Matt’s baseball knowledge was high when he was a freshman. He understood the way to approach the game and that you need to show up to the field and work. We have had several kids like that.”

Adams maintains a close relationship with multiple former P-O standouts, including Hazelton, whose professional career ended after five seasons in 2000. Hazelton teaches at Clearfield High School and still trains with Adams.

“He said the best thing I can do is keep calm and whatever happens, happens,” Adams said.

Adams, who plans on following the draft via computer at his Philipsburg home, has retained Joe Bick of Cincinnati-based Pro Star Management as an adviser. The draft process has already yielded one memorable moment: An opportunity to workout at Yankee Stadium with 48 other prospects.

“It was really amazing walking in there,” he said.