Nick Adenhart
From BR Bullpen
Nicholas James Adenhart
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 3", Weight 185 lb.
- High School Williamsport (MD) High School
- Debut May 1, 2008
- Born August 24, 1986 in Silver Spring, MD USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Pitcher Nick Adenhart made his major league debut with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2008.
Adenhart was considered by some to be the top high school pitching prospect entering 2004 due to a fastball in the low 90s and a curveball called devastating by Baseball America. Unfortunately, he injured his arm and needed Tommy John surgery. As a result, he fell to the 14th round of the 2004 amateur draft and signed for a $710,000 bonus, more than most second-rounders that year and more than any 14th rounder prior to 2004 - it wasn't the most that year, as fellow 14th-round pick Dexter Fowler got a higher bonus.
Adenhart debuted professionally with the 2005 AZL Angels (2-3, 3.68, 52 K in 44 IP) and Orem Owlz (1-0, 0.00 in 6 IP). Baseball America rated him the #2 prospect in the Arizona League behind Mark Pawelek. In 2006, the teenager starred for the Cedar Rapids Kernels, going 10-2 with a 1.95 ERA. Opponents hit .215 against him while with Cedar Rapids. He went 5-2 with a 3.78 ERA in 9 games with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. He led Angels minor league pitchers in wins. He made the US roster for the 2006 Futures Game but did not get into the game. Had he qualified, he would have led the Midwest League in ERA. He still made the MWL All-Star team as the top right-handed pitcher. Baseball America picked him as the best pitching prospect in the loop and the #5 overall MWL prospect, between Colby Rasmus and Jacob McGee.
Adenhart joined Team USA for the Americas Qualifying Tournament for the 2008 Olympics. He pitched in one game (the only man on the staff to appear just once), starting against the Brazilian national team in a surprisingly close 8-7 win. In 4 2/3 innings, he allowed five hits (two homers) and four runs but struck out six. He was yanked in favor of Nick Ungs.
In the 2007 season, Adenhart was 10-8 with a 3.65 ERA for the Arkansas Travelers. He finished third in the Texas League with 116 strikeouts and was third in ERA. He made his major league debut as the Angels' starting pitcher on May 1, 2008, but was rocked for 5 runs on 3 hits and 5 walks in 2 innings.
Sources: 2004-2007 Baseball Almanacs, 2007 Angels Media Guide, MILB.com, IBAF site
