The Washington Nationals acquired catcher Riley Adams from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for left-handed pitcher Brad Hand on Thursday. The Nationals also recalled outfielder Yadiel Hernandez from Triple-A Rochester. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.
Adams, 25, is considered the best power hitter in Toronto’s Minor League system according to Baseball America and is the No. 17 prospect in the Blue Jays’ organization according to MLBPipeline.com. He joins the Nationals organization after hitting .239 with six doubles, one triple, seven homers, 17 RBI, 16 walks and 20 runs scored in 35 games for Triple-A East Buffalo.
Adams made his Major League debut on June 8 at Chicago (AL), going 1-for-3 with a double. He appeared in 12 games with the Blue Jays across two Major League stints. Adams went 3-for-28 (.107) with two doubles, two walks and two runs scored. He spent the 2020 season at Toronto’s Alternate Training Site.
The 6-foot-4, 246-pound righty has hit .262 with a .363 on-base percentage and a .419 slugging percentage in 286 games across four professional seasons (2017-21). He’s recorded 66 doubles, five triples, 28 home runs, 146 RBI, 130 walks, eight stolen bases and 153 runs scored. He was a Florida State League All-Star in 2018 and 2019 and a Northwest League All-Star in 2017.
A native of Encinitas, Calif., Adams was selected in the third round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of San Diego.
Hand, 31, went 5-5 with 21 saves and a 3.59 ERA in 41 games out of Washington’s bullpen this season.
