Jason Adam grew up in Overland Park, Kansas, dreaming of one day playing major league baseball for the hometown Kansas City Royals.
On Saturday, May 5, he got his shot.
Adam came in to pitch the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers and proceeded to throw a scoreless inning, allowing a hit, a walk and striking out one batter.
What a moment for @Jason_Adam9! ? #RaisedRoyal pic.twitter.com/TR2crvaDQP
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 5, 2018
The 26-year-old pitcher was selected by the Royals in the fifth round of the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft. Adam made it as far as Triple-A Omaha in 2014, but was then traded from Kansas City to the Twins for Josh Willingham in 2014.
And then the nightmare began.
Over the next two seasons, Jason would have four elbow surgeries and not throw a single pitch in a game in 2015 or 2016. He missed the 2015 and ’16 seasons rehabbing and suffered a setback with the Padres last spring training that limited him to 13 late-season outings.
After pitching in just 13 games in 2017 returning from injury, and splitting time with the Padres organization and then back to Kansas City, Adams began the 2018 season in Double-A with Northwest Arkansas and this year, something was different.
In his first six games, he was lights out with 17 strikeouts in just 11 innings, he was promoted to Triple-A Omaha, where he struck out nine batters, with two saves, allowing zero runs in his four games pitched.
The Royals have had their struggles in the bullpen this season, and when they saw the success Jason was having, they made the call and soon, Adam was on his way to Kansas City.
“I call (Omaha manager Brian Poldberg) and he goes, ‘I know I had to give you this news a couple years ago but we traded you again,’” Adam said to the Kansas City Star. “I go, ‘You can’t be serious.’ He goes, ‘No, I’m kidding. You’re going to KC.’ I was speechless. I wish I could put it into words. You dream about this day since you’re 8 years old. But to have it be in your hometown — it’s crazy. I can’t explain it.”
Adam had a memorable offseason as well following the 2017 season. Along with his wife Kelsey, Jason spent time at the Kanakuk Institute in Branson, Mo., learning about discipleship and being equipped with Biblical skills to apply into their daily lives. Jason posted on his Instagram page in April that Kelsey had graduated from Kanakuk.
“Especially proud of @thetravelingwife_ today. Today she gets to officially graduate from @kanakukinstitute. Kels chose to fully devote herself to growing in her relationship with the Lord and as a woman over these past months. And through that she has been completely transformed. As a husband there is nothing better! I know as we become parents the fruit of this past year will be tremendous. So from your husband and your daughter, thank you Kelsey! We love you so much.”
The crazy offseason continued as the Adams found out they’re going to become parents. Kelsey is due in July with their first child.
Join us in congratulating Jason on making it to the big leagues, Kelsey on graduating from Kanakuk, and the Adam family on expecting their first child. What an incredible few months it has been for them.
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