San Francisco Giants: Results starting to match talent for Melvin Adon

Right-hander Melvin Adon is a flame-throwing minor league reliever who could soon make his way onto the San Francisco Giants roster.

In his first season with the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels, San Francisco Giants pitching prospect Melvin Adon is living up to the hype surrounding his 100 mph fastball.

The Giants liked his potential enough to add him to the 40-man roster this past November, and he’s rewarding that gesture with a strong showing in the upper levels of the minors.

In fact, he’s pitching well enough to earn a spot on the Eastern League All-Star team.

He will be joined by several of his teammates:

The first thing that stands out about Adon has always been his electric fastball, which now consistently pops triple-digits on the radar gun.

For much of his professional career, the San Francisco Giants used him as a starting pitcher. In 313.1 innings as a starter, he posted a 4.31 ERA with 269 strikeouts (7.7 K/9) against 124 walks (3.6BB/9).

While those results were not bad by any means, they never matched Adon’s ability to overpower hitters.

The 25-year-old was used as a reliever in the Arizona Fall League in 2018, and that’s where he finally turned a corner.

Facing some of the top prospects in baseball, Adon effectively paired his power fastball with a developing slider. In 12.1 innings, he yielded just seven hits while recording 21 strikeouts against only three walks.

That performance made it abundantly clear that Adon’s repertoire was best-suited for the bullpen, and that’s the role he’s filled this year.

In his first season at the Double-A level, he’s recorded a 2.89 ERA that is backed by a solid 3.27 FIP. He’s racked up 48 strikeouts in 37.1 innings for a career-high 11.6 K/9, but he’s also walked 24 batters, so his command remains a work in progress.

That’s less concerning in a relief role, but there’s still work to do.

The most encouraging part of Adon’s season has been the growth he has shown as the season has progressed. After hitting a bump in the road in May, he has rebounded nicely with a 1.20 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 15 innings of work over his last 10 appearances.

If he keeps it up, a promotion to Triple-A Sacramento could be forthcoming. At that point, and given that he is already on the 40-man roster, a September call-up this season could be within reach.

Melvin Adon’s Eastern League All-Star nod is well deserved. He has really found a home in the bullpen and the results are starting to align with his ability. The pieces are there for him to become a high-leverage reliever for the orange and black in the near future.