Matt Adams

Matthew James Adams (born August 31, 1988) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). Nicknamed Big City for his imposing size and ability to regularly hit long home runs, the St. Louis Cardinals selected Adams in the 23rd round of the 2009 MLB draft from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.\n', ' Playing in the Texas League in 2011, Adams was recognized as that league\'s Most Valuable Player and the Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year with a .300 batting average, 32 home runs and 101 runs batted in. He made his MLB debut with the Cardinals in 2012. In his rookie season in 2013, Adams hit 17 home runs in 296 at-bats. Adams has also played in MLB for the Atlanta Braves.\n', ' Adams grew up in Philipsburg, Centre County, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Philipsburg-Osceola High School he attended Slippery Rock University where he holds the career records of batting average (.473) and slugging percentage (.754). In 2009, he was named the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association\'s Division II National Player of the Year.\n', '