Adam Bright

From BR Bullpen

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Adam James Bright

  • Bats Left, Throws Left
  • Height 5' 11", Weight 175 lb.

BR minors page

Biographical Information[edit]

Adam Bright peaked at AA. He played for the Australian national team in several events.

Bright's father Ray Bright was a star cricket spin bowler. Adam was 1-1 with a 2.53 ERA for Australia in the 2002 World Junior Championship. He was 4th in the tournament in ERA, just ahead of Chad Billingsley and Ian Kennedy. Bright signed with the Colorado Rockies when he was 17 years old. He debuted in the US with the 2003 Casper Rockies and was 2-2 with a 4.29 ERA in 33 games. He led the Pioneer League in games pitched. He helped Australia win the 2003 Oceania Championship.

In 2004, the southpaw made his debut in the Australian Claxton Shield, allowing 9 runs, 7 walks and 5 hits in 3 innings in a rough stretch with the Victoria Aces. In the US that summer, he was 3-4 with a 4.93 ERA for the Tri-City Dust Devils, walking 22 in 38 1/3. In 2005, the Melbourne native had his first full-season league action, going 4-2 with 6 saves and a 3.38 ERA in 51 games for the Asheville Tourists, showing good strides despite being the shortest member of the Asheville pitching staff. Bright made his debut with Australia's senior national team in the 2005 Baseball World Cup, going 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in four games. His win was against the Czech national team.

Bright returned to the Claxton Shield in 2006 and was 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA for Victoria on a vast improvement over his 2004 performance. In the 2006 World Baseball Classic, Adam pitched one game for the Aussies. He relieved Paul Mildren in the 4th with a 4-0 deficit and a man on. He promptly allowed a Frank Catalanotto single to make it 5-0. Bright settled down to retire Mike Piazza and whiff Vince Sinisi. In the 5th, Bright struck out Val Pascucci. He plunked Peter Zoccolillo then served up a 2-run homer to Mark Saccomanno. Bright retired Dustin Delucchi and walked Tony Giarratano then gave way to Rich Thompson.

Bright's 2006 season in the US was not great. In the high-scoring California League, he was 3-6 with a 5.18 ERA in 49 games for the Modesto Nuts and walked 34 in 57 1/3 IP. One positive was that he held left-handed batters to a .182 average. He was left off of Australia's roster for the 2006 Intercontinental Cup.

In 2007, Bright pitched 52 games for the Tulsa Drillers. He was 1-3 with a 3.72 ERA. He walked 26 batters in 46 innings, held left-handed hitters to a .174 average but allowed a .320 average to right-handed batsmen. He was with Australia for the 2007 Baseball World Cup. He only pitched 3 2/3 IP in six games, again working as a LOOGY, but led Australia with a 2-0 record. He allowed one earned run. He pitched one scoreless inning against the Cuban national team. He worked 2/3 of an inning against Venezuela, striking out one and walking one. He put two men on in the ninth with a walk and hit batsman but Thompson relieved to extinguish the threat and force extra innings in the eventual win. Against South Korea, Bright got the final two outs in the top of the 9th and got credit for the win when Ben Risinger drove in Justin Huber with the winner in the bottom of the frame. Bright also got the win against Team Canada despite allowing two of four batters to reach, when Brad Harman drove in Luke Hughes with the winning run in the 9th for Australia. He allowed hits to two of three Japanese batters he faced in the quarterfinals as Australia was eliminated from medal contention. Bright allowed his only run in the 5th/6th place game loss to South Korea, allowing hits to two of three batters faced once more.

Bright was 0-1 with a save and a 9.00 ERA for Australia in the 2008 Final Olympic Qualification Tournament. He helped lock up their win over Canada (Canada's only loss of the event) and also finished up their victory over South Africa. He was not good against the Mexican team though. He entered in the 8th inning with a 3-3 tie and proceeded to allow three runs. He gave up singles to Jesus Cota and Luis A. Garcia then walked Miguel Ojeda. Brendan Wise replaced him and allowed all three runners to score. Australia failed to make it to the 2008 Olympics.

Bright went 3-8 with a 4.41 ERA in 47 games for Tulsa in 2008 and then was with Australia for the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He pitched to one batter, entering with a 13-1 deficit and two men on base before giving up a home run to Karim Garcia. In his final minor league season, he was 1-2 with a save and a 4.30 ERA in 36 outings for the 2009 Drillers. He went 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in six games for Australia in the 2009 Baseball World Cup, beating Taiwan. In his worst outing, he blew a 2-1, 9th-inning lead against Canada when he gave up a homer to Rene Tosoni; Australia would rally to win, though.

Bright ended his overseas career with Rimini in 2010; he allowed 7 hits, 3 walks and 2 runs in 3 regular-season innings and two runs on three hits and a walk in 2 1/3 playoff innings to show he had reached the end of the line.

Also played for the Melbourne Aces of the Australian Baseball League in the 2012-13 season.

Sources:

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