Willy Adames: Adapting to the Power Constraints of Oracle Park
CHICAGO — Since stepping onto the Major League Baseball (MLB) stage in 2018, Giants shortstop Willy Adames has been known for his powerful hitting ability. This power prospect played a significant role in him landing a substantial seven-year, $182 million deal with the San Francisco Giants last winter. However, the transition to Oracle Park has presented unique challenges for Adames, especially concerning his ability to maintain his power numbers.
Challenges at Oracle Park
Traditionally, Oracle Park has proven to be a difficult venue for hitters, particularly right-handed batters, as it has recorded the lowest number of home runs among all MLB parks since 2000. This fact poses a challenge for Adames as he seeks to adapt his game to the stadium’s conditions.
Season Start and Performance Metrics
At the beginning of the season, Adames struggled to find his rhythm. Statistics show that through Wednesday’s games, he was batting .230 with a .314 on-base percentage, along with seven doubles, four home runs, and 19 runs batted in (RBIs). Historically, Adames has been a slow starter; March and April have consistently represented his weakest months in terms of OPS.
In a positive turn, Adames managed to hit his first two home runs at Oracle Park last Sunday, marking a notable milestone for both him and his new team. As he continues to adjust to his new surroundings, the hope remains that he can harness his power numbers as the season progresses.
Adapting to New Conditions
“It’s a little colder,” Adames said with a smile about his transition. “I’m getting used to playing outside every day. … It’s been a little harder than expected, but that’s how it is. It’ll be better in the summertime.”
Historical Context of Power at San Francisco
The Giants have long struggled with offensive power, particularly from the right side of the plate. In fact, it has been nearly two decades since a Giant hit 30 home runs in a single season, with the last occurrence by Jeff Kent in 2002. When Adames joined the team, expectations were that he could potentially end this power drought, yet with only four home runs recorded after 38 games, this is looking increasingly challenging.
Hitting Philosophy at Oracle Park
Pat Burrell, the Giants’ hitting coach and a former MLB player, understands the necessity of making adjustments when moving to a less hitter-friendly ballpark. “Adames has hit quite a few balls here in San Francisco that I think probably would have been out of the ballpark in Milwaukee,” Burrell remarked. “We don’t want to change who people are, but you know, in reality, it’s not a home run hitter’s ballpark.”
As a result, the coaching staff is encouraging players to focus on hitting line drives rather than trying to lift the ball for home runs. Burrell believes that as temperatures rise, Adames will likely find more success at the plate.
Looking Ahead
Adames remains optimistic despite the early-season hurdles. His metrics support a positive outlook; while his slugging percentage stands at .358, his expected slugging percentage (xSLG) is .420, suggesting that he is making quality contact even if the results haven’t yet manifested. Additionally, his average exit velocity of 88.8 mph aligns closely with his career norms, indicating potential for improvement.
“You just gotta be comfortable and be like, ‘I did my job. I hit it hard. It just didn’t go my way,’” Adames explained. “I feel like, after the first three or four weeks for me, it was like, ‘OK, forget about the results. Just continue to hit the ball hard, and they’re going to start dropping.’”
As Adames continues to adapt to the unique challenges of Oracle Park, both he and Giants fans remain hopeful that he will find his power stroke as warm weather approaches.
