Atlanta Braves: Lane Adams 2018 Outlook and Interview

The Atlanta Braves suffered another tough season with few pleasant surprises. Lane Adams was one of the few exceptions, with the veteran breaking through to the Majors and offering a solid pinch hitting and fourth outfielder option.

Coming in from last off-season the Atlanta Braves had an issue with bench depth. Players like Johan Camargo and Lane Adams emerged as great bench options not only for this season, but for the 2018 season as well.

Lane Adams spent the majority of the season with the Atlanta Braves playing in 85 games and offering solid production from the bench finishing with a .275 average and getting on base at a .339 clip.

Adams played solid defense as well showing speed and a consistent ability to be a threat on the base paths. Coming into Spring Training Adams will be looking to remain on the Braves’ roster and barring any unforeseen additions is the favorite to remain the Braves fourth outfielder.

Adams recently took the time to sit down and answer a few of our questions after his first successful season:

1. What was your favorite memory of the 2017 season?

Adams: “2017 Brought a lot of moments that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Being on my first 25 man roster, walk off HR against the Marlins, playing alongside of some of the best players in the game in Freddie, Kemp, Ender etc.

The memory I have the most clarity about was when we played the Nationals and faced Scherzer. I think Ender fouled a ball off his foot the night before. I walked into the clubhouse that day and saw where I was starting and playing CF. Then I looked at their lineup and saw where Scherzer was pitching. I sat at my locker for about 10-15 minutes before I got dressed and

was thinking to myself I’m about to face a Cy Young winning pitcher and arguably the best pitcher in baseball.

At first I was intimidated. While sitting there I told myself I can let the presence of Scherzer intimidate and go out there and hope for the best or I can lock horns with one of the best pitchers and compete against him. I decided to not be intimidated and go out and compete my ass off against him and give myself a shot. I ended up having a pretty good game and we won. That was the moment in the season when I proved to myself that I could play at MLB level”

2. Do you have any personal goals for the 2018 season?

Adams: “I want to make the opening day roster. Stat wise I want to be a 1.5+ WAR player and have a 120+ wRC (Runs created). And of course hit more Dingers”

3. Even as a veteran of the game did you learn anything certain that helped you succeed this past season?

Adams: “I learned how important it is to be ready at all times, especially in the NL. I also learned how to look at information that is given to us by our analytics guy and use it to my advantage. I felt like I was learning myself more and more as a hitter with each at bat I got. Hopefully I can continues to grow as a hitter.”

4. Any clubhouse tidbits to offer us, who is looked to as the vocal leader and who leads by example?

Adams: “We have a couple of guys that the clubhouse looks to. Freddie (Freeman), Matt (Kemp), and Jim Johnson are more vocal leaders in the clubhouse while Kakes (Nick Markakis) is more a leader by example. Our clubhouse is filled with veteran players who want to help the younger guys succeed at this level.”

5. You by far have the most entertaining Braves’ player Twitter account (Follow here) I take it you are a big Lebron James fan?

Adams: “Yep! I’m a big LBJ fan. Went to the LeBron Skills Academy in 2008 and was fortunate enough to meet him. I followed him when he was in high school. I’ve been a big fan of his ever since he first came onto the scene. “

6. Was there one pitcher in particular you faced that stood out?

Adams: “Max Scherzer, Ultimate competitor.”

7. What do you think of the growing number of multimillion dollar contracts in baseball?

Adams: “I think it’s great. Players decades ago are the reason players in today’s game are able to reap the benefits of larger salaries. MLB Players Union is one of the strongest unions in the world and they work tirelessly for the benefit of the players”

8. What is your outlook headed into spring training this year?

Adams: “I’m eager to get the 2018 spring training going. This will actually be my first spring where I’ve gone in and have actually been able to compete for a roster spot which is all I could ask for. I’m ready to get back after it. But until then I’m going to keep preparing for the upcoming 2018 season”

No doubt, the Braves are going to need players like Adams to step up and provide production for a team that is looking to find their way back to contention.

Adams currently sits second on the Braves depth chart at every outfield position and will likely open the season as the Braves fourth option and will have a bigger chance at earning starts with rookie Ronald Acuna likely to need days off.

Next: Jerry Jones vs. Arthur Blank

Coming into the 2018 season Lane Adams and Johan Camargo will offer Braves’ fans something they haven’t had in a very long time. Exciting bench players who can get the job done.

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