Red Sox Sign Riley Adams to Minor League Contract

The 30-year-old catcher joins the Boston organization following four seasons with the Washington Nationals.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Baseball

Expressive sports illustration of a catcher in a navy and red uniform, crouched in a defensive baseball stance.
The Boston Red Sox have signed veteran catcher Riley Adams to a minor league contract to bolster organization depth. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Boston Red Sox have signed veteran catcher Riley Adams to a minor league contract. The move follows Adams' 2026 season spent entirely in Triple-A competition.

Why it matters

The signing adds depth to the organization's catching corps as the team prepares for the upcoming season. Adams brings experience from his four-year tenure with the Washington Nationals to the Boston roster.

In 2026, Adams recorded 16 home runs across 82 games in Triple-A. His performance follows a 2025 campaign where he ranked fourth in the majors for average bat speed.

The players

Riley Adams

A 30-year-old professional catcher who joins the Red Sox organization after spending four seasons with the Washington Nationals.

Boston Red Sox

A professional Major League Baseball franchise based in Boston that competes in the American League East division.

Washington Nationals

A professional Major League Baseball franchise based in Washington D.C. that previously employed Adams for four years.

The details

Adams transitions to the Red Sox after completing his previous four-year stint with the Washington Nationals. Over his career, he has logged 849 plate appearances at the major league level.

Timeline

  1. Adams ranked fourth in the majors for bat speed in 2025.

  2. Adams played in Triple-A for the entirety of the 2026 season.

  3. The Red Sox signed Riley Adams on October 22, 2026.

  4. Adams is set to compete for a roster spot during spring training in 2027.

Season Trajectory

This signing adds a depth piece to the roster as the team looks to optimize its catcher rotation for the 2027 season. Adams will enter the organization competing for a backup role, directly impacting the team's depth chart hierarchy.

Adams is projected to start spring training third or fourth on the team's catcher depth chart. His addition provides the organization with a veteran option capable of providing power, as evidenced by his 16 home runs in 2026.

The takeaway

Depth signings like this are essential for building a resilient 26-man roster throughout a long MLB season. Fans should monitor his performance during spring training to see if his 2026 minor league production earns him a major league opportunity.

What happens next

Riley Adams will compete for a catcher roster spot during spring training in the spring of 2027.

Further reading

For more information on team moves, visit the Boston Baseball section.

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Do you believe signing minor league players is an effective way to strengthen your local team?