Cristhian Adames 2018 Miami Marlins (New Orleans Baby Cakes) Review

Cristhian Adames spent 2016 as more-or-less a regular at shortstop for the Colorado Rockies. In 2018, he served one level below the major leagues.

Throughout the 2018/2019 offseason, Marlin Maniac will devote one article each for every player who appeared in the Miami Marlins system for the 2018 season. Every. Single. Player. This is Part 221 of 286.

Cristhian Pascual Adames is a 6′, 185 lb. switch-hitting, right-handed throwing infielder from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, population 965,040. 170 players have originated out of the city, including Albert Pujols, Adrian Beltre, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, and Cesar Cedeno.

Adames was born on July 26th, 1991, and signed a contract through free agency with the Colorado Rockies, for $400,000 in 2007. He worked his way up through the Rockies system over the next few seasons, playing with the Casper Ghosts in the rookie-level Pioneer League, the Asheville Tourists in the single-A South Atlantic League, the Modesto Nuts in the high-A California League, the Tulsa Drillers in the double-A Texas League, and the triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox, in the Pacific Coast League. In 2013, 2014, and 2015, he made his respective league midseason All-Star team. You can follow him on Twitter @Crisadams26.

Adames made his major league debut with the Rockies on July 29th, 2014, and went one-for-15 in seven appearances. A 2015 that saw him slash .245/.298/.302 in 26 major league games wouldn’t dampen the team outlook on him. He would open 2016 as the Rockies’ 28th ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.

"It was Adames’ glove that carried him to the big leagues and it’s likely what will keep him there. The infielder is very sure-handed, making every routine play and then some. He has a very accurate, above-average arm. In addition to playing a very solid shortstop, he’s shown an ability to handle defensive responsibilities at second and third to increase his versatility and value. Adames has made strides offensively. While he’s never going to be a force with the bat, he’s learned that he can contribute by getting on base and putting the ball in play consistently. – MLB Pipeline"

Most of Adames major league experience came in 2016. He played in 121 games for Colorado, slashing .218/.304/.302 with 17 RBI and an OPS+ of 53. He got playing time at second and third base, but played in 47 games at shortstop. He fielded at a .972 clip and a 4.59 RF/9 in 178 total chances. Adames followed his promising season with an 0-for-13 performance in 2017. On November 7th, the Rockies granted Adames his free agency. Here he is with the Baby Cakes in 2018, courtesy of Baseball Census.

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Five weeks later, Adames signed with the Miami Marlins to a minor league deal. He never sniffed the majors, but spent the entire campaign one level below, with the PCL New Orleans Baby Cakes. He led the team with 122 games played, 498 plate appearances, 449 at bats, 166 total bases, and 121 hits. He was second with 58 runs scored and 57 RBI, and third with 18 doubles. Adames added seven home runs, and slashed .269/.324/.370.

In 32 contests, Adames finished with multiple hits, including eight times with three or more. On June 6th, he hit three doubles and added a single, scoring twice and collecting two RBI in a 16-4 win over the Las Vegas 51s. Defensively, he posted a 1.000 fielding percentage in five games at shortstop. In 146 2/3 innings at second, he made one error in 82 chances to finish at .988. Mostly though, he played at the hot corner. In 827 innings, he fielded at .962 with nine errors in 239 chances. On November 2nd, the Miami Marlins released him to free agency.

Adames has since played with the Toros del Este, in the Dominican Winter League, and hit .230/.283/.304 over 41 contests. He’s currently a free agent, and is welcome to continue pursuing his professional baseball career with any team, affiliated or otherwise.

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