Nathan Adcock

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2007: Pitched OK at low A, with mediocre BB and K rates. Couldn’t throw strikes in late-season promotion to high A.

2008: Went back to low A, but season was interrupted by a sprained elbow. Had greatly improved K rate, but otherwise pitched about the same as 2007.

2009: Prior to being traded, pitched at High Desert in the California League, which is the best hitters’ park in the best hitters’ league in organized baseball. High Desert has long been notorious for wreaking havoc with the ERAs and psyches of young pitchers with its frequent football-like scores, including a 33-18 game in 2009. Adcock’s ERA while there was 6.39 at home and 4.82 on the road. Struggled in all phases there. After trade, went to Lynchburg and piggybacked some games with Ronald Uviedo, as Pirates were concerned about both pitchers’ workloads being much heavier than previous year’s. Wasn’t helped by switch in leagues, although high ERA after trade largely resulted from one meltdown in which he allowed six earned runs in one inning.

2010: Went back to high A and spent season in Bradenton rotation. Had outstanding first half, posting ERA of 2.85 and K rate slightly over one per inning through first 12 starts. Seemed to tire around mid-season, as ERA climbed to 4.88 in June and July, and K rate dropped to five per nine innings. Rebounded with strong August, though.

Adcock doesn’t have dominating stuff, so he probably profiles as a 4th/5th starter. The Pirates did not add him to the 40-man roster after the 2010 season and Kansas City selected him in the Rule 5 draft. The Pirates could get Adcock back, especially considering the fact that he hadn’t pitched above class A.  He made the Royals’ opening day roster, but will still have to stay in the majors all year.