By John Nolan
Assistant Director of Scouting

2014 Top Prospect Games participant and Paul VI catcher Devon Adams has verbally committed to attend Old Dominion University in the fall of 2016. Adams is the third current Panther player to commit to a Division I school, joining battery mate and fellow Top Prospect Games participant Robert Riddick (RHP, Virginia Tech). Adams was also accompanied to the 2014 Top Prospect Games by teammates Michael Coritz (2016, 3B) and Jack Cunningham (2016, OF/RHP). Those four, along with Radford commit Clayton Baine (2016, MIF), figure to make up the core of a Panther team that is looking to build off of a strong (17-7) regular season in 2014 and go deep in the WCAC and VISAA playoffs next spring.

Adams is a 5-foot-11, 190 pound catcher with an athletic frame. Offensively, he hits from a balanced stance with his feet slightly outside of his shoulders and bent knees. Adams has a smooth load back with a short stride to the ball that produces a short line drive approach that is gap-to-gap with good extension. He had an 83 mph exit velocity off of the tee. Defensively, Adams is an athletic catcher behind the plate. He showed good arm strength with a velocity of 77 mph from behind the plate. He has a short, quick release to second base from a high three-quarter arm slot. Adams showed the ability to have soft hands while receiving the ball and posted pop times of 1.93-2.15 with accuracy.

When he arrives at Old Dominion, Adams figures to immediately be able to help the Monarchs defensively behind the plate as a good receiver who can control the running game. As his bat develops, Adams has the potential to become a high average hitter with doubles or better power.

Congratulations Devon!