After graduating from Walpole High School, it is not uncommon for athletes to play for a Division 3 program. Yet, there is always those few standout players once every few years who makes it to the big stage: the Division 1 level. But, Boston College’s Johnny Adams — who joins Cam Hanley (Northeastern), Conor McCarthy, and PJ Hayes as the only Division 1 student-athletes from the Class of 2013 — has done something unimaginable: Adams has started at 3B and as DH as a true freshman.
Transitioning from WHS to BC has not been a major problem for Adams, who is now starting for a program in one of the best league’s in the country, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). As surprising as this is, anyone who saw Adams play for Walpole is not surprised in the least bit. Though most would consider this an intimidating task, Adams is fully ready for the challenge.
“I just try to focus on having fun and doing my job, trying to do anything I can to help the team win,” said Adams. “You have to eliminate all fear in order to succeed, so i just try to play the game like I’ve always been taught to.”
Throughout his tenure at Walpole High, Adams was a four year starter for the Rebels all while help leading Walpole to two Bay State League crowns during his tenure at Walpole. Adams started at shortstop for the Rebels and was a first-team Bay State League All Star three years in a row. Coach William Tompkins even named Adams captain Johnny’s senior year — giving his leadership skills that have helped him transition to BC. Other than baseball, Adams was the point guard and a two year captain for the Dave St. Martin’s basketball team.
Playing for the Rebels has certainly helped Adams prepare for his success at the collegiate level. Competing in the highly competitive Bay State League and having one of the best coaching staffs in Massachusetts high school baseball is one aspect Adams has acknowledged that has contributed to his success.
Adams said, “If I had not been in such a great league in high school and didn’t have coaches like coach [Lee] Delaney, [Chris Costello] Costy, and Head Coach [Bill] Tompkins, then the transition would have been much more difficult, which makes me fortunate to have played in such an unbelievable baseball program”.
Through the first 26 games, Adams has a .221 batting average but was hitting as high as .333 before playing against talented ACC pitching. However, Adams is most adept on defense, which earned his an early nod at the right side of the infield in early spring. This season, Adams has embraced a big change that most players would take time to adapt but has not affected him in the slightest bit: changing positions from Shortstop to third base.
“Playing third base is much different than terms of defensive positioning and being closer to the batter,” said Adams. “However, coaches here at BC have taught me many knew things about the position and seeing time there in the fall and winter has definitely more comfortable.”
Due to strong coaching and hard work, Adams has made the transition to third an easy one which helped him earn the starting position. Adams said, “But in the end, you need to simplify things and just worry about fielding the ball and throwing it cleanly.”
As the Eagles enter the strength of their schedule, they look to turn around their season after starting just 8-18 thus far. However, the addition of Adams to the squad has given the Eagles one of the most sure handed players in the ACC.
“If we keep playing hard and as a team, then I think this season is going to be something special.”
