Nationals Outright Riley Adams as Catcher Removed From 40-Man Roster

This article digs into the Washington Nationals’ decision to outright catcher Riley Adams to Triple-A Rochester after a recent roster shuffle. It also looks at how that move fits into the club’s changing catching depth chart.

Why did Adams pick organizational security over free agency? What does he actually bring on the field? And what do Washington’s latest acquisitions say about the shifting hierarchy behind the plate?

Nationals Shuffle Catching Depth with Riley Adams Move

The Nationals made a pretty telling roster move by outrighting catcher Riley Adams to Triple-A Rochester. This came just after they designated Adams for assignment to open a 40-man roster spot when they claimed reliever Gus Varland off waivers from Arizona.

Adams didn’t take free agency. Instead, he accepted the minor-league assignment, keeping him in the organization and letting him hold onto the guaranteed money in his split contract. That’s probably the smart call, considering where he stands in his career and the current catching market.

Why Adams Accepted the Assignment

With between three and four years of Major League service time, Adams could’ve refused the outright assignment. But if he’d done that, he would’ve had to walk away from the $500,000 minor-league salary he negotiated last November.

He’s 29, so you’d guess he weighed his options for a while. Free agency was there, but it probably wouldn’t have brought more than another minor-league deal with no guarantees. By staying, he keeps financial security and stays just one roster shakeup away from another big-league shot.

Evaluating Riley Adams’ On-Field Profile

Adams’ big-league career spans five seasons and 263 games, mostly with Washington after they got him from Toronto early in his rookie year. Offensively, he’s been modest, with a career slash line of .211/.287/.354.

He’s got above-average raw power for a catcher, but his approach at the plate has held him back. Strikeouts have stopped him from turning that power into steady run production.

Defense: Mixed Reviews Behind the Plate

Defensively, advanced metrics haven’t been kind to Adams, especially with pitch receiving and framing. That’s a problem these days, since teams care about catcher defense as much as offense.

But his arm is legit. Last season, he threw out 28.8% of attempted basestealers, which is above league average and shows he can control the running game.

A Crowded Catching Picture in Washington

Now, Adams is part of a deep and competitive catching group in the Nationals’ system. He’s off the 40-man roster, but he’s experienced non-roster depth at Triple-A—never a bad thing over a long season.

Washington’s long-term plans at catcher seem to be shifting, with several players competing for big-league roles.

Harry Ford and the New Hierarchy

The Nationals just brought in rookie catcher Harry Ford in a trade that sent reliever Jose A. Ferrer to Seattle. Ford’s expected to get a lot of playing time and is projected as the main catcher for Blake Butera.

Former top prospect Keibert Ruiz hasn’t really met expectations at the plate and now looks more like a backup. Drew Millas and utility catcher Mickey Gasper are still on the 40-man, which only adds to the competition.

What This Means Moving Forward

Washington re-signed Tres Barrera to a minor-league deal. He also got a non-roster invite to Spring Training, which shows the Nationals want plenty of catching options.

For Riley Adams, getting back to the majors looks tougher right now. Still, injuries or trades could make him important again in a hurry.

Honestly, his choice just shows he gets how unpredictable baseball can be—sometimes, sticking around and waiting it out really is the best move.

 
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