Adams' surge leads him all the way to No. 3 spot in Nats lineup

PHILADELPHIA – Riley Adams could only laugh when presented with the question: When’s the last time he batted third?

“I don’t know,” the Nationals catcher replied. “Maybe in the minors last year?”

He’s right. Adams actually batted third for the Rochester Red Wings in their final game of the 2024 season, capping off a frustrating season that saw him twice demoted to Triple-A following prolonged periods of struggle in the big leagues.

And the way this season began, Adams could’ve found himself confronting that situation again. As recently as June 23, he was the not-so-proud owner of an .097 batting average and .383 OPS, numbers that could have left his career hanging in the balance.

But with the opportunity to start playing more consistently after Keibert Ruiz landed on the seven-day concussion injured list, Adams has resurrected his season. And it has all come together this month, leading to a .320/.404/.480 slash line in August that has raised his season batting average to .207 and his OPS to .641.

Adams insists he never looked at his numbers when the bottom fell out earlier this summer.

“I don’t think I look at stats even when things are going well,” he said. “To me, that’s stuff you focus on more in the offseason. During a year, I’ve got so many other things I’m worried about, especially when you look at the defensive side.”

Adams’ offensive surge has coincided with significant improvement behind the plate, as well. He has thrown out 13 of the last 31 runners who have tried to steal off him, and won praise from the pitching staff for his game-calling skills.

Perhaps most notable about Adams’ offensive improvement has been a combination of patience (12 walks over his last 116 plate appearances after drawing only one in his first 83) and willingness to use the whole field more. Prone to pulling the ball the majority of the time in the past, he’s now recording a good number of his hits to center and right fields, including a three-run homer Friday night that reached the seats in deep right-center.

“I don’t think it’s a concerted effort. I think in general when my swing is at its best, I’m trying to stay through the middle of the field, going the other way,” he said. “I think just in general, trying to get back to that is where I feel like I can have more success. Using my strength, using my size to my advantage is trying to stay to the bigger parts of the field.”

Adams’ success has prompted interim manager Miguel Cairo not only to put him in the lineup more regularly, but also to move him up in the lineup. Adams has hit cleanup twice in the last week. And now today, he’s batting third for the first time in his major league career.

“He’s been outstanding,” Caito said. “He’s playing well, catching well, getting good at-bats. He deserves to be hitting right there.”