Adam Kolarek #56

Adam nominated his father, Frank, for Major League Baseball's All-Stars Among Us awards program…the former Athletics minor leaguer runs a League of Dreams program to bring baseball to adults and kids with special needs, similar to Miracle League…Frank started the foundation following his coaching and scouting days…he worked for the Special Olympics for a while but wanted to focus on baseball…Adam participates in the camps and will often bring teammates to volunteer...Adam has been playing guitar since he was in middle school…most of the music he plays is on the heavier side, with Metallica being a recurring favorite…he's seen them in concert several times...Adam and Brandon Lowe are both products of the University of Maryland…last year's Rays team was the first time two Terrapins were major league teammates since Hal Keller and Sherry Robertson both played for the Washington Senators in 1950...He met his wife, Melanie, in his last semester at Maryland in 2010…she wasn't much of a baseball fan at the time, but has since had a crash course...His dad has "forever been in his corner" supporting him and offering daily lessons on what it takes to be a professional…as a former catcher, Frank helps Adam review pitch-by-pitch details after a game...In December, Adam went with his wife's entire family to Israel for 10 days…the group visited Jerusalem and Tel Aviv…Adam had never been out of the country beyond Toronto before.
 

2018

Made 31 apps over two stints with the Rays…Was on the active roster from July 6-23 and Aug 3 through the end of the season...Pitched to a 1.93 ERA (28-IP, 6-ER) over his last 26 apps, spanning two stints from July 22 through season's end, after a 12.79 ERA (6.1-IP, 9-ER) in his first 5 apps...Recorded a 3.38 ERA (18.2-IP, 7-ER) in 16 apps at home and a 4.60 ERA (15.2-IP, 8-ER) in 15 apps on the road...On Aug 16 at NYY, inherited the bases loaded with no outs in the 9th inning and retired all 3 BF for his first career save…according to Stats LLC, became the first pitcher in club history to enter with no outs in the 9th inning or later and the bases loaded, strand all 3 IR and record the save…He was the first pitcher to do that in the majors since STL Jason Motte on May 9, 2012 at ARI, and the first pitcher to do that for his first career save since NYY Todd Erdos on April 17, 2000 at TEX...On Sep 1 at CLE, induced a game-ending groundout on his only pitch thrown for the save…It was the sixth time in franchise history a pitcher threw one pitch and recorded the save, but the first time it happened on the road.

2017

Was a non-roster invite to Braves spring training…released on March 24 and signed with the Rays three days later…made his major league debut on June 29 at PIT after 320 apps across eight minor league seasons…his first career pitch was a 7th-inning called strike and led to a inning-ending caught stealing at third base…on July 14 at LAA, became the third pitcher in Rays history to hit a batter (Kole Calhoun) on his only pitch thrown, first since Trever Miller on June 8, 2004 vs. SF… credited with his first career win on July 18 at OAK, recording the final out of the 8th inning before the Rays took the lead the next half inning… had two stints with the Rays: June 28-July 27 and Sep 1-3, then was outrighted off the 40-man roster…re-signed to a minor league contract on Nov 6.

2013

Has 181 strikeouts in 160.2 career minor league innings... Spent the majority of the year with Binghamton (AA) of the Eastern League…Transferred to Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League on April 15 and returned to Binghamton on April 20... All 44 of his appearances for Binghamton (AA) were in relief... Posted a 1.09 ERA (three earned runs/24.2 innings) with 18 hits in 18 games after the All-Star break... Righthanded batters hit .194 (30-155) against him, while lefthanders hit .227 (17-57)... Did not allow a run in seven games in June….Was 0-0 in 12.0 innings with three hits and one save... Was 1-1 and a 0.75 ERA (one run/12.0 innings) with seven hits in nine contests in August... Pitched in two games with Las Vegas, April 15 vs. Colorado Springs and April 17 vs. Sacramento.

2012

Named to the mid-season and the postseason Florida State League All-Star teams... Finished fifth in the FSL in saves.

2011

Went 7-0 with five saves and a 2.22 ERA (13 earned runs/52.2 innings) while appearing in 21 games, one start…Recorded 55 strikeouts.

2010

In his first year of professional baseball, notched 45 strikeouts in 37.1 innings with Kingsport (R) of the Appalachian League and Brooklyn (A) of the New York-Penn League.