Willy Adames of the Milwaukee Brewers throws his bat after hitting three runs during the eighth... [+]inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs. This was Monday, June 28, 2021 in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash). ASSOCIATED PRESSAnyone who has been following the Milwaukee Brewers over the past few weeks will know that Willy Adames was the most dominant player in the team's largest inning in more than a decade. This was in a game where the atmosphere was the loudest since COVID-19.ADVERTISEMENTAdames' home run of three runs in the eighth highlighted a 10-run surge that transformed a 4-4 tiebreaker into a 14-4 win over the arch-rival Chicago Cubs. It also extended the Brewers lead over Chicago and other NL Central teams to four games.06/28/2021Adames stated, "It was incredible." I enjoyed the entire game. "This is incredible," I told the guys. This is the big leagues. It is amazing. Avi said, Bro, I am living the dream. It's crazy. How can you get people to go crazy on a Monday? It's amazing. It was amazing.Adames' joy came just a little over a month after the Brewers president, baseball operations, parted ways with two highly-touted relievers to purchase him. Trevor Richards, a right-handed reliever from Tampa Bay Rays was also part of that deal.The deal was controversial at the time because Stearns had just a month before traded Orlando Arcia, a top prospect, to the Braves to make room for Luis Urias to be the team's everyday shortstop.Stearns maintained that the acquisition of Adames was not a reaction to Urias recent defensive struggles, but the culmination negotiations that began long before catchers and pitchers reported to spring training.ARLINGTON (TEXAS) - OCTOBER 23, 2019: Willy Adames #1 celebrates his... [+] RBI Double against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth inning of Game Three of 2020 MLB World Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on October 23, 2020. Getty Images/Photo by Ronald MartinezADVERTISEMENTThe skeptics were not silenced by Adames'.197 average in batting with the Rays. Stearns was firm in his belief that Adames slow start was normal and repeated references to shortstop's big-game experience, which included helping the Rays win the American League pennant last year.Stearns stated that he's "performed on big stages" after the announcement of the trade. He's been part of a pennant winning team and has made it to the World Series. We believe he has a lot to offer and he's only 25 years old.Craig Counsell, the manager, also dismissed Adames' low numbers but instead focused on Adames’ reputation as a leader and the spark-plug player that the Brewers desperately needed.ADVERTISEMENTCounsell stated that Adames is a 25-year old player with 2 1/2 years of experience in big leagues. However, he has "a lot of leadership qualities" prior to Adames's first day with Milwaukee. He's an impressive player at that age and a testament to the goodwill he has earned with his teammates as well as the people of Tampa. This speaks volumes about his work ethic and how he impacts others.MILWAUKEE (WI) - JUNE 26, 2012: Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Christian Yelich (22) celebrates with Milwaukee Brewers...[+] shortstop Willy Adames (27) during a game between Milwaukee Brewers (2021) and Colorado Rockies (2206). Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThis has had a greater impact than the Brewers could ever have imagined.When Adames entered the clubhouse, Milwaukee was at 21-23 and third place in the Central. This was four games behind the Cardinals first-place team. The Brewers are now 15-10 and have won six consecutive games to gain a four-game advantage over the rest.ADVERTISEMENTAdames played a key role in this success. Adames has been a part of all 35 Milwaukee games since the trade. He has a.286/.357/.516 batting average of.516 and has had six home runs, 24 RBIs, and a.873 OPS.He's made a huge impact on the field and has also been a great leader and source for energy for his teammates.Counsell stated that Willys has been a brilliant player since he arrived. Counsell stated, "He has impacted us on and off the field in every way possible, and in a positive way." It was a significant acquisition. His impact on the field and off it was immense.From the Brewers' perspective, this is only the beginning.Adames, who is just 25, becomes arbitration-eligible this offseason. He'll be earning a significant raise from the $590,00 this season. However, his 2022 salary is still a good fit to the small-market Brewers, who have put a premium on developing young talent under Stearns.
