Former Palm Desert High School pitcher Travis Adams is on the way to making his debut in the major leagues after being called up Friday by the Minnesota Twins.
Adams, 25, had been pitching for Minnesota’s Triple-A affiliate at St. Paul, where he had appeared in 13 games, two as a starter and 11 in relief. He had posted a 3.43 earned-run average in 42 innings. Adams was seen as a potential major leaguer by the Twins since being drafted by the club in the sixth round of the 2021 major league draft out of Sacramento State. In November, Adams was put on the Twins’ 40-man roster, protecting him from being picked up by other teams.
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In making the move, the Twins optioned pitcher Kody Funderburk down to St. Paul.
People watch the fireworks display on the field of play at the Palm Springs Stadium on the Fourth of July right after a Palm Springs Power baseball game in Palm Springs, Calif., July 4, 2024.
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When Adams was drafted in 2021, former Palm Desert Aztecs baseball coach Darol Salazar told The Desert Sun, “He’s always been like a really good competitor, I would never hesitate to put him in high-leverage situations. He’s the type of pitcher that if something bad happens, he gives up a home run or something, he just shakes it off and gets back to business. It’s impressive.”
Adams becomes the latest former desert baseball players to make the big leagues. Taylor Ward, who played at Shadow Hills High School in Indio, is an outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels, and Jerimiah Estrada is a relief pitcher for the San Diego Padres.
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Valley players drafted by MLB
(Bold means player made it to Major Leagues)
2022: Jordan Sprinkle, 4th, White Sox, PDHS
2021: Travis Adams, 6th, Twins, PDHS
2019: Andrew Bash, 30th, Angels, PDHS
2018: Sean Roby, 12th, Giants SHHS
2018: Clay Fisher, 12th, Orioles, LQHS
2018: Travis Moniot, 17th, White Sox, PDHS
2018: Johnny Cuevas, 32nd, Brewers, PDHS
2017: Jeremiah Estrada, 6th, Cubs, PDHS
2017: Clay Fisher, 27th, Reds, LQHS
2017: Taylor Bryant, 33rd, Cardinals, LQHS
2016: Tyson Miller, 4th, Cubs, SHHS
2016: Brian Serven, 5th, Rockies, PDHS
2016: Brooks Kriske, 6th, Yankees, PDHS
2016: John Schuknecht, 37th, Angels, PDHS
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2015: Taylor Ward, 1st, Angels, SHHS
2015: Scotty Burcham, 25th, Rockies, PDHS
2015: Travis Moniot, 34th, Giants, PDHS
2014: Nick Baker, 29th, Diamondbacks, PDHS
2013: Morgan Earman, 21st, Mets, DCA
2012: Tanner Rahier, 2nd, Reds, PDHS
2012: Taylor Ward, 31st, Rays, SHHS
2012: Ryan Garvey, 33rd, Rockies, PDHS
2012: Ricky Gingras, 18th, Astros, PDHS
2011: David Schuknecht, 12th, Rockies, PDHS
2011: Ryan Garvey, 15th, Phillies, PDHS
2011: Randall Yard, 36th, Reds, PDHS
2010: Nick Baker, 44th, Dodgers, PDHS
2007: Aaron Seuss, 27th, Nationals, PDHS
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2007: Randall Yard, 37th, Braves, PDHS
2006: Michael Rocco, 24th, White Sox, PDHS
2006: Abraham Gonzalez, 48th, Angels, CVHS
2005: Anthony Claggett, 11th, Tigers, Palm Springs
2004: Landon Burt, 27th, Twins, LQHS
2002: Ryan Broderick, 20th, Angels, PDHS
2002: Adam Seuss, 36th, Astros, PDHS
2000: Jason Farmer, 14th, Giants, Indio
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: MN Twins lineup: Past Palm Desert High pitcher to join Minnesota Twins