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Veteran Shortstop Continues to Be Consistent Force for the Brewers

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Veteran shortstop Willy Adames is striving to be a consistent force again. With a reputation as one of MLB’s best defensive playmakers, Adames wants to erase the memory of last season’s offensive struggles and re-assert himself as a steady force at the plate. The fourth-year infielder is on a one-year, $12.25 million contract for the season. Luckily, Adames was able to put his talent on full display Tuesday night as the Brewers didn’t waste their final opportunity in the ninth.

Willy Adames Is Striving for Consistency

The right-handed hitting Adames took another strong step in the right direction. He belted what proved to be a game-winning two-out three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning in Milwaukee’s dramatic 6-5 come-from-behind victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night. The 392-foot blast over the left-field fence was his fourth three-run homer of the season and helped secure an important road win for the Brewers, who snapped a frustrating three-game losing streak and improved to 21-14 overall.

Adames showcased his composure, focus, and sense of humor by politely acknowledging a little good-natured heckling from some Royals’ fans while standing in the on-deck circle, then promptly delivering the decisive hit.

Fittingly, he later registered the final defensive putout of the game to put an exclamation point on the night. He made a diving, back-handed stop on a hard-hit grounder and fired a strong throw to first base to retire the runner. It was an important confidence-building, complete all-around performance for Adames.

Future With Brewers Remains Question Mark

Adames has responded with an encouraging early-season start. He has a .257 batting average with 35 hits, seven doubles, seven homers, 25 RBI and five stolen bases.

Despite suffering a freaky concussion a year ago that knocked him from the lineup for a short time and being the subject of potential offseason trade talk, he has remained resilient.

“Obviously I want to perform and help the team to win,” said Adames, in a spring training interview with Jack Magruder of MLB.com on March 16. “I feel like that hasn’t changed, because that’s what I’ve been trying to do since I got to the big leagues: Put up numbers and try to help the team win. That’s my mentality. I’ll try to be myself.  I can’t try to do too much, because then I’ll have a messed-up year. Whatever happens, happens. I’m just going to try to have fun and enjoy the game.”

Adames hit a career-high 31 home runs in 2022. He established a Brewers franchise record for homers in a season by a shortstop. He broke the long-standing prior mark of 29 set by Hall of Famer Robin Yount in 1982.

Adames Can Compete

“He wants to compete,” said first-year Brewers manager Pat Murphy, in a spring training interview with MLB.com. “He wants to be in the big situation. The fact that Willy wants it, and continues to want it, and keeps coming back for more, that shows you who he is. He’ll get through this. The mental pressures, or whatever you want to call them, that come with this year, he’s going to overcome.”

A rejuvenated Adames will be vital to the team’s success as the season progresses. With two division titles already to his credit, a third could become a distinct possibility with the element of consistency.

Main Photo: © Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

 

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