The Milwaukee Brewers are once again dipping into the well of former first-round talent, this time adding outfielder Jordyn Adams on a minor league deal, per multiple reports. While the team hasn’t officially confirmed the signing, it fits right in with a pattern we’ve seen from Milwaukee's front office in recent years - betting on athleticism and pedigree at a bargain price.
Adams, now 26, brings a fascinating athletic profile to the table. A two-sport standout in high school, he was once committed to play wide receiver at North Carolina before the Angels made him the 17th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.
That football background shows up in his game - he’s lightning fast. We're talking 98th percentile sprint speed, with an 80-grade run tool from MLB Pipeline.
That’s the top of the scale, and it’s not handed out lightly.
But as fast as Adams is, his journey through professional baseball has been anything but. His raw tools caught the eye early, but the rest of his game hasn’t quite caught up.
After making his MLB debut with the Angels in 2023, Adams managed just five hits across 40 plate appearances. The following year, his opportunities dwindled even further, and he was designated for assignment after the season.
In 2025, Adams signed a minor league deal with the Orioles and had a couple of brief stints with the big-league club. But again, he couldn’t find his footing at the plate and was mostly used in late-game situations as a pinch runner or defensive sub. Now, he heads to Milwaukee looking for a fresh start - and maybe a shot at finally turning those elite tools into consistent production.
So why take a flyer on a player like Adams? For the Brewers, this move checks two boxes that have clearly become part of their playbook: former first-round picks and elite speed.
Let’s start with the draft pedigree. The Brewers have made a habit of targeting players who once carried top-prospect status but have struggled to find their way in the majors.
It’s a low-risk, high-upside strategy. If even one of these guys clicks, you’ve potentially added a difference-maker without spending big.
We’ve seen it work before - Quinn Priester and Andrew Vaughn are two recent examples of former first-rounders who’ve found new life in Milwaukee.
This offseason alone, the Brewers have added Adams, Greg Jones, and Reese McGuire - all former first-rounders - on minor league deals. It’s a clear trend. And while not every player will pan out, the cost is minimal and the potential reward is real.
Then there’s the speed factor. Adams isn’t the only burner Milwaukee has added this winter.
Jones and Dasan Brown also earned 80 grades for their wheels at one point, and all three now wear Brewers gear. In a league increasingly focused on power and launch angle, the Brewers are zigging where others zag - finding value in elite speed and athleticism.
That’s not just a stylistic choice; it’s a necessity. Milwaukee doesn’t have the financial muscle of the league’s heavyweights, so they have to get creative. That means hunting for market inefficiencies - attributes like speed and untapped potential - that don’t break the bank.
Adams may never become the five-tool star some envisioned when he was drafted, but his speed and athleticism still make him an intriguing project. The Brewers are giving him a shot to rediscover his game in a system that’s shown it can get the most out of overlooked talent.
There’s no guarantee he sees big-league time in 2026 - Milwaukee’s outfield depth chart is crowded, and Adams will have to earn every opportunity. But for a club that thrives on finding diamonds in the rough, this is exactly the kind of move that could pay off down the line.