Padres Farmhand Corey Adamson Retires to Play Aussie Football

Corey Adamson will be focusing on a different kind of hitting from now on.

The 22-year-old outfielder has retired from baseball, having most recently played with the San Diego Padres’ High-A level Lake Elsinore Storm, to play Australian rules football, signing with the West Coast Eagles of the Australian Football League. Adamson is a native of Bullsbrook, Western Australia. He announced his decision via Twitter.

Adamson played Australian Rules Football as a youth, having made the All-Australia team in the Under-15 division. He is excited to return to the sport of his youth, according to a video on the AFL website.

The Padres have not had an Australian-born player on their major league roster since Craig Shipley in 1998.

Adamson, a left-handed hitting corner outfielder played in the Padres organization for six years, signing with the team in July, 2008. He was initially scouted by Padres’ Pacific Rim Scouting Coordinator Trevor Schumm and former Padres GM Randy Smith. [related-topics]

During his time with the Padres, he also played winter ball in the Australian Baseball League. He represented Australia in the World Baseball Classic in 2013.

Adamson retires with a career line of .243/.330/.337.