ATHLETE OF THE WEEK : Baffled Batters Seek Help After Adams Expands Repertoire

Batters who step to the plate against Granada Hills ace Jeff Adams must be scratching their protective helmets when they return to the dugout after they ground out or strike out.

Especially the ones who faced him last year.

When batters go through their what-to-look-for-when-Adams-is-pitching check list, there is a new and nasty addition to the menu.

All the old stuff is there: the fastball Adams has been throwing since Little League and the slider Coach Darryl Stroh taught him in 10th grade.

And there is the changeup he learned from Baltimore Orioles pitcher Dave Schmidt, when the two met before Adams’ junior year at a Granada Hills practice.

With those three pitches, Adams posted a 5-4 record as a junior.

But Adams was not satisfied. So, last summer, Adams taught himself the fourth pitch he has used in an impressive 4-0 start for the 7-0 Highlanders: the curve.

“I’m throwing more pitches for strikes now,” Adams said. “I can throw four pitches for strikes.”

Adams’ version of self-education has taught opposing teams that when the senior right-hander is on the mound, school is basically out.

Last week against San Fernando, he allowed one earned run, scattered seven hits and struck out three. He followed that by beating Arcadia, 6-4, with a seven-strikeout, two-earned-run performance.

And even when he does not get the starting call, Adams can provide Stroh with some answers. Monday against Venice, he took over in the second inning with Granada Hills trailing, 3-1, and pitched 5 innings, yielding two earned runs.

Meanwhile, his teammates scored nine runs and the Highlanders coasted to the win.

“I have a lot of confidence on the mound because of that,” Adams said of his teammates’ production. “It’s good to know that I can give up a couple of runs and still win the ballgame.”

And Adams is winning ballgames with his curve. To be sure, though, he still enjoys utilizing his old friend the slider.

“The slider kills ‘em,” Adams said with a grin. “They ground out all the time against it. Or else strike out.”

Stroh also enjoys Adams’ variety of pitches.

“Last year he rode primarily on his slider,” Stroh said. “Now with his curveball he’s that much tougher.”

But is he tough enough to pitch in college?

“I don’t know, I haven’t heard from anyone yet and I’m starting to get worried,” Adams said with a laugh. “But I’m sure they’ll notice me soon enough.”