Willie Adams

William Edward Adams (born October 8, 1972) is an American former professional baseball player whose career spanned eight seasons, including parts of two in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Oakland Athletics (1996–1997). Over his MLB career, Adams went 6–9 with a 5.81 earned run average (ERA), one complete game, one shutout and 105 strikeouts in 25 games, 24 starts. Adams also played in the minor leagues with the Class-A Madison Muskies, the Class-A Advanced Modesto A's (1994), the Double-A Huntsville Stars (1994–1995), the Triple-A Edmonton Trappers (1995–1998), the rookie-level Arizona League Athletics (1998), the Class-A Advanced Sarasota Red Sox (1999), the Double-A Trenton Thunder (1999) and the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox (1999–2000). In 123 minor league games, Adams went 40–34 with a 4.34 ERA, five complete games, two shutouts, six saves and 421 strikeouts.

Before turning professional, Adams attended Stanford University. He was drafted by the Athletics during his junior year at Stanford in the first round of the 1993 Major League Baseball draft. Adams also pitched two games in 1992 Summer Olympics as a member of the United States national baseball team. Adam batted and threw right-handed.

Amateur career Adams attended La Serna High School in Whittier, California. Adams was selected twice in the 1990 Major League Baseball draft, first by the Detroit Tigers in the 52 round and later by the Houston Astros in the 74 round. From 1991 to 1993, he attended Stanford University. During his first season as a member of the Stanford Cardinal baseball team, Adams won the "Most Valuable Freshman" award presented by the school's athletics department. In 1992, Adams played for the United States national baseball team. He pitched two games during the 1992 Summer Olympics. Adams is the only person born in Gallup, New Mexico to compete in the Olympics. After the 1992 and 1993 seasons, Adams was the recipient of the university's "Come Through Award". During that season, Willie split the season between the Class-A Advanced Modesto A's and the Double-A Huntsville Stars. In 11 games with the A's, Willie went 7–1 with a 3.38 ERA, two saves and 42 strikeouts. He was later promoted to the Stars where he went 4–3 with a 4.30 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 10 games, all starts. In 1995, Adams was rated as the eight best prospect in the Athletics organization. On June 11, Willie made his major league debut against the Cleveland Indians and pitched six innings, giving-up four earned runs while earning a no-decision. On August 10, while pitching against the Cleveland Indians, Adams got his first win. During that game, Willie's father was in attendance.

Willie started the 1997 season with the Athletics. However, in mid-May, Willie was sent down to the minor leagues. On the season, combined between the three teams, Adam's record was 6–7 with a 4.60 ERA in 15 games, all starts. During his final professional season, 2000, Willie played for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. He suffered right shoulder inflammation early in the season and was placed on the disabled list on May 22. Pitcher Hipólito Pichardo replaced Willie on the Pawtucket roster. Willie finished the season with a record of 0–2 with a 5.47 ERA, four saves and 21 strikeouts in 20 relief appearances.