Matt Adams

Matthew James Adams (born August 31, 1988) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). Nicknamed Big City for his imposing size and ability to regularly hit long home runs, the Cardinals drafted Adams in the 23rd round of the 2009 MLB Draft from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

Playing in the Texas League in 2011, Adams was recognized as that league's Most Valuable Player and the Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year with a .300 batting average, 32 home runs and 101 runs batted in. He made his MLB debut in 2012. In his rookie season in 2013, Adams hit 17 home runs in 296 at-bats.

Early life

Matt Adams grew up in Philipsburg, Centre County, Pennsylvania. According to an interview with Fox Sports Midwest he was a big fan of Ken Griffey, Jr. After graduating from Philipsburg-Osceola High School he attended Slippery Rock University where he holds the career records of batting average (.473) and slugging percentage (.754). In 2009, he was named the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's Division II National Player of the Year.