SF Giants Melvin Adon Appears To Suffer Arm Injury

SF Giants pitching prospect Melvin Adon debuted for the Toros Del Este in the Dominican Winter League today but had to leave the game with an apparent arm injury.

Many SF Giants players and prospects are trying to make some extra money and stay in shape for the season by playing in various winter leagues around the world. Pitcher Melvin Adon made his debut with the Toros Del Este of the Dominican Winter League on Friday and hit 101 mph on the radar gun. However, he had to leave the game with an apparent injury that appeared to be focused on his upper arm near the shoulder.

Adon has been one of the most tantalizing pitching prospects with the Giants since he signed with the organization in 2015. While the 26-year old’s development has yet to reach the level many hoped, he was expected to compete for a spot in the team’s bullpen in Spring Training.

At his best, Adon has flashed a true 80-grade fastball, routinely sitting from 99-100 mph and touching 102 mph. It isn’t straight either and has some run to make it even harder to square up. He’s toyed with a two-seamer, but there’s no need to move away from one of the best heaters in organized baseball. Since moving to the bullpen full-time, he’s found more consistent success with his slider.

In 2019, Adon made 36 appearances at Double-A, struck out 59 batters in 49 innings, and held opponents to a 2.60 ERA. However, Adon’s fringe control was beginning to pop up, walking more than five batters per nine innings. When he received a late-season promotion to Triple-A, he walked 8 batters in just 10.1 innings and allowed a 13.94 ERA.

Without a minor-league season in 2020, Adon was away from the Giants for much of the season. He joined the team’s roster at the alternate site in Sacramento near the end of Augusta and spent the remainder of the season there. He was likely hoping to make up for lost reps at the Dominican Winter League.

The SF Giants may have lost a potential bullpen arm before the 2021 season gets underway. Hopefully, Melvin Adon’s injury was not severe and he will be back to full strength by Spring Training.