Russ

Adams

The Blue Jays shortstop of the future will get his first chance to impress the club’s brass this afternoon. Although he is a solid baseball player, Adams does not do enough from a fantasy perspective to make him worth grabbing for next year in most pools.

“You have to respect the integrity of the game,” said interim manager John Gibbons. That’s just too nice. First of all, with the Angels and Rangers falling, we probably already know which four teams are going to the playoffs from the AL. Second, it’s unfortunate the Jays don’t want their future to get a look at quality competition. GM J.P. Ricciardi says the youngsters will spend the next month like this: “Adams will get a chance to spend a whole month working with (third base coach Brian) Butterfield in the infield, Crozier just to see what’s it like up here, and [Quiroz] a chance to get up here and catch a few games.”

Adams, a 2002 first-round pick, has hit .282/.371/.400 in 245 AB this year.

Adams, who had two homers on Tuesday, is suddenly hitting .274/.342/.452 for the Blue Jays. He may stay in the leadoff spot against right-handers for the rest of the season.

Adams should take over the Jays’ regular second baseman, sending Edgardo Alfonzo to the bench or the scrap heap. He’ll probably have value in AL-only leagues.

Adams will take over as the Jays’ starting second baseman after hitting .338/.400/.500 in 68 at-bats for Syracuse. It’s still likely that the club will eventually have to trade for infield help, but if Adams is over his throwing problems, he might resemble an average regular.

If Adams has his throwing problems under control, he might take over as Toronto’s second baseman before long. He’s hitting .339/.409/.508 in 59 at-bats since he demotion last month.

Syracuse was up 16-1 after three innings in the game against Norfolk, which was mercifully called due to rain with a 17-3 score after 4 1/2. Jeriome Robertson and Anderson Garcia were lit up for the Tides.

Knoblauch and Sax had trouble making routine throws to first base as second basemen. “I don’t think it’s at that point,’' infield coach Brian Butterfield said. “With some of those other situations, it was glaring, where they had trouble and would double-clutch, or triple-clutch, playing catch. Their throwing routine, their work period, was bad. Russ has been outstanding in the work periods. He just hasn’t been as consistent game to game.’'

Adams’ .258/.316/.383 line wasn’t nearly as much of a problem as his defense, which was the worst in baseball from the shortstop position. The Blue Jays will likely go with John McDonald as their full-time shortstop for now, but they will be looking for help. McDonald, one of weakest hitters among position players currently on a major league roster, will have only a little value in AL-only leagues.