Matt Adams

Matthew James Adams, born on August 31, 1988, in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, established himself as a prominent figure in Major League Baseball. His journey began at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, where he set several records, including a career batting average of .473. In 2009, Adams was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 23rd round of the MLB June Amateur Draft, marking the start of his professional career. He quickly demonstrated considerable hitting ability in the minor leagues, earning the Texas League Most Valuable Player award in 2011 after batting .300 with 32 home runs and 101 runs batted in for the Springfield Cardinals. This success led to his Major League debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on May 20, 2012.

Throughout his career, Adams played for four MLB teams: the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, Washington Nationals, and Colorado Rockies. He gained the nickname “Big City” for his imposing physical presence and propensity for hitting long home runs. A career highlight includes winning the 2019 World Series with the Washington Nationals, where he contributed to the team’s success with his offensive power. Over his 10 seasons in MLB, Adams accumulated 624 hits, 118 home runs, and 399 RBIs with a .258 batting average. He last played in MLB in 2021 before transitioning to the Kansas City Monarchs in the American Association of Professional Baseball in 2022, where he continued to demonstrate his power hitting with 27 home runs and 85 RBIs in 80 games.

Following his playing career, Adams embarked on a coaching path. In January 2025, he was appointed as the bench coach for the San Diego Padres’ Triple-A affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas. Adams officially retired from playing baseball on September 15, 2024, by signing a one-day contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, the team with which he began his MLB journey. His career progression showcases a dedicated athlete who made a notable impact on the field and has now transitioned into developing future talent within the sport.