Blue Jays: Looking at former prospects traded at the deadline under Ross Atkins

Riley Adams – C

Traded to the Washington Nationals in exchange for LHP Brad Hand – July/29/2021

With the Blue Jays needing bullpen help at the 2021 trade deadline, the front office dipped into their catching depth and sent Riley Adams to the Washington Nationals in exchange for veteran reliever Brad Hand. The move did not pan out for the Jays, as Hand struggled throughout August before being DFA’d while Adams finished the year as the Nationals’ backup catcher.

Before the trade, Adams had a cup of coffee on the Jays roster when both Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk found themselves on the IL. He went 3 for 28 during that time with two doubles and two walks while striking out 12 times, earning a .346 OPS before being optioned back down to AAA.

Adams won the Nationals’ backup catcher role out of Spring Training and struggled to find a rhythm at the plate this year. Through 27 games and 78 at-bats, Adams slashed .192/.284/.321 with three home runs and a .605 OPS while throwing out 20% of base stealers with one error behind the plate. The righty-batter would be optioned back down to AAA on July 1st.