Riley Keaton Adams Bio
Riley Keaton Adams is an American professional baseball catcher who currently plays for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Toronto Blue Jays after being selected by them in the 2017 MLB Draft. Adams built his reputation as a standout collegiate catcher at the University of San Diego, where he earned West Coast Conference Player of the Year honors in 2017 before embarking on his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Riley Keaton Adams was born on June 26, 1996, in Encinitas, California. He grew up in the San Diego area and attended Canyon Crest Academy, where he excelled as a two-sport athlete in basketball and baseball. In basketball, Adams demonstrated remarkable athleticism by recording 31 rebounds in a single game. On the baseball diamond, he made his high school varsity team as a freshman, initially playing shortstop.
As a sophomore in high school, Adams transitioned from shortstop to catcher when his coach asked him to fill the open position. This positional change would define his baseball career. He began practicing karate at age three and earned a second-degree black belt by the age of 13, demonstrating discipline that would later serve him well in his baseball pursuits. Adams also distinguished himself academically, particularly for his science fair research on pampas grass, which earned him a spot at the California State Science Fair. His older brother, Cameron, played college baseball at Washington University in St. Louis.
Path to Professional Baseball
After graduating from Canyon Crest Academy, Adams chose to continue his academic and athletic career at the University of San Diego, where he played college baseball for the San Diego Toreros. His defensive prowess behind the plate and consistent hitting made him one of the top collegiate catchers on the West Coast. During the summer of 2016, he played for the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier collegiate summer leagues, where he earned league All-Star honors.
Adams continued to develop his game throughout his college career. He was twice named a semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Award, given annually to the top catcher in college baseball. As a junior in 2017, he reached the pinnacle of his collegiate career by winning the West Coast Conference Player of the Year Award. He finished his time with the San Diego Toreros having played 159 games, compiling a .305 batting average with 24 home runs and 110 runs batted in.
Riley Keaton Adams Career
Minor League Development (2017–2021)
The Toronto Blue Jays selected Adams in the third round of the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft, using the 99th overall selection. The organization signed him to a contract featuring a $542,000 signing bonus. Adams made his professional debut with the Vancouver Canadians of the Low-A Northwest League, where he impressed by hitting .305 with three home runs and 35 runs batted in across 52 games. His performance earned him a starting spot in the Northwest/Pioneer League All-Star Game.
Adams continued his climb through the Blue Jays minor league system. In 2018, he played for the Dunedin Blue Jays of the High-A Florida State League, where he slashed .246/.352/.361 with four home runs and 43 runs batted in over 99 games. The following season, he advanced to Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, appearing in 81 games and hitting .258 with 11 home runs. The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though Adams was added to the Blue Jays 60-man player pool but did not receive a major league call-up.
MLB Debut and Toronto Blue Jays (2021)
Adams earned his first major league promotion on May 2, 2021, when the Blue Jays placed backup catcher Alejandro Kirk on the 10-day injured list with left hip flexor discomfort. He was optioned to Triple-A on May 5 without making an appearance. On June 8, Adams received another recall to the active roster and made his MLB debut that same day as the starting catcher against the Chicago White Sox. He recorded his first career hit, a double, off White Sox starter Carlos Rodón. The Blue Jays added Adams to their 40-man roster that November.
Washington Nationals (2021–Present)
On July 29, 2021, the Blue Jays traded Adams to the Washington Nationals in exchange for reliever Brad Hand. He made an immediate impact with his new team, recording his first hit as a National, his first career home run, and his first career RBI on August 7 against Atlanta Braves reliever Will Smith in the ninth inning, providing a late lead for his team. In 35 games during the remainder of the 2021 season, Adams hit .268 with two home runs and 10 runs batted in.
The 2022 campaign saw Adams appear in 48 games for Washington, where he posted a .176/.245/.310 slash line with a career-high five home runs and 10 runs batted in. His best season came in 2023 when he played 44 games, batting .273/.331/.476 with four home runs and 21 runs batted in before a fractured hamate bone in his left wrist ended his season. He underwent surgery on September 11, 2023, and missed the remainder of the year.
Adams began the 2024 season on the major league roster but was optioned to Triple-A Rochester Red Wings on June 2 to receive more consistent playing time as both catcher and first baseman rather than serving as a backup behind Keibert Ruiz. He appeared in 41 games with Washington that year, batting .224/.292/.336 with two home runs and eight runs batted in. In 2025, Adams received significantly more playing time after concussions kept Ruiz sidelined. He played in 83 games, slashing .186/.252/.308 with eight home runs and 24 runs batted in. The Nationals designated Adams for assignment on January 22, 2026. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings on January 28, 2026.
Defensive Profile
Adams is known as a defensive-minded catcher with solid receiving skills and pitch-framing ability. His career statistics include a .211 batting average, 21 home runs, and 73 runs batted in across his MLB career through the 2025 season.
Notable Career Moments
Adams delivered a memorable performance on August 7, 2021, when he hit his first career home run as a National in the ninth inning against Atlanta Braves reliever Will Smith, giving Washington a late lead. He also had a standout 2023 season before the injury, batting .273 with four home runs and 21 RBIs in 44 games. His collegiate career at San Diego established him as one of the top defensive catchers in the country, earning him West Coast Conference Player of the Year honors in 2017.
Riley Keaton Adams Career Statistics
Adams has compiled his MLB career statistics across five seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays and Washington Nationals through the 2025 season. His career batting average stands at .211 with 21 home runs and 73 runs batted in. He has appeared in a total of 295 MLB games.
| Statistic | Career MLB Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 295 |
| Batting Average | .211 |
| Home Runs | 21 |
| Runs Batted In | 73 |
Riley Keaton Adams Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Adams grew up in Encinitas, California, with his older brother, Cameron Adams. Cameron played college baseball at Washington University in St. Louis, establishing an athletic family tradition in the sport. The brothers share a passion for baseball that was evident from their youth, with both pursuing collegiate baseball careers at different universities. Riley began practicing karate at age three, earning his second-degree black belt by age 13, which instilled the discipline and focus that would later benefit his baseball development.
Personal Life
Outside of baseball, Adams has maintained a variety of interests and accomplishments. His academic achievements include participation in the California State Science Fair for his studies on pampas grass, demonstrating intellectual curiosity beyond athletics. He was also a standout high school basketball player, earning All League honors as a sophomore, junior, and senior at Canyon Crest Academy. His 31-rebound game showcased his athletic ability that translated to his baseball success. Adams continues to be active on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant chapter in Adams career as he took on an expanded role with the Washington Nationals. After starting the year on the major league roster, he saw increased playing time beginning in early 2025 when a series of concussions kept Keibert Ruiz out of action. Adams played in 83 games for the Nationals, serving as the primary catcher during Ruiz absence while also seeing time at first base.
His offensive production in 2025 included a .186 batting average with a .252 on-base percentage and .308 slugging percentage. He hit eight home runs and drove in 24 runs across his 83 appearances. While the batting average reflected challenges, his power numbers showed consistency with his career norms. The increased playing time allowed the Nationals coaching staff to evaluate his long-term role with the organization.
Adams spent portions of the season with Triple-A Rochester, using his time in the minors to work on his offensive approach and receiving additional development opportunities. The Nationals valued his defensive versatility, playing him at both catcher and first baseman to maximize his value as a depth piece. His ability to handle both positions made him a valuable option for a Washington team managing the health of its catching corps throughout the season.