- Full name Tyler Adamczyk
- Born
- Profile Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
-
Adamczyk was one of the more intriguing arms in the 2001 draft, drawing interest for the first two rounds but ultimately falling to the seventh because of his reported price tag and a commitment to the University of California. The Cardinals signed him late in 2001 for $700,000 and were impressed with him in instructional league. He was less impressive in his professional debut. Adamczyk has a potential power arm, and he touched 95 mph as an amateur. But he was at 88-90 mph last year, and sometimes not even that good. The Cardinals attribute it to growing pains and expect his velocity to return as he improves his mechanics and adds strength to a lanky, 6-foot-6 frame. Adamczyk's slider is a potential plus pitch but needs work, and his changeup is in the rudimentary stages. He doesn't have confidence in his offspeed stuff at this point and overthrows his fastball, which straightens it out and takes away from its usual sink. Adamczyk was also inconsistent as a high school senior, so the Cardinals would like to see a solid year out of him at Peoria. -
Adamczyk was a two-way standout in high school, but scouts viewed him strictly as a pitcher. His talent dictated getting picked in the first two rounds, but he fell to the seventh because of an inconsistent high school season, a commitment to the University of California (he is a good student) and a reported price tag of as much as $1.5 million. The Cardinals signed him at the end of the summer for $700,000 and he didn't pitch until instructional league. Adamczyk has a tall, thin body with plenty of room for projection and a quick arm. He's athletic and played basketball in high school. He already throws his fastball 88-92 mph with good sink, and he should add velocity. His slider has the potential to be a plus pitch, but it will need a lot of refinement, and he never has worked much with a changeup. Command and other fine points of pitching will come as he gets innings. Unless he pitches lights-out in spring training, Adamczyk will start the season in extended spring and move to a short-season affiliate in June.