Edison alum Adam Wolf works out with Chargers before spring training

MILAN TWP. — As Edison High School's baseball players were gathering for practice last week, one of the Chargers turned to a tall, bearded alumnus and offered up a little good-natured trash talk. Something about taking a fastball over the outfield fence. Everyone chuckled, including Adam Wolf, the former Edison star who is preparing for minor league spring training with the Detroit Tigers. "They're usually giving some friendly ribbing to each other," Edison coach Sean Hoover said. "I think their bark might be bigger than their bite once he starts throwing." Wolf, who expects to report to the Tigers' facility in Lakeland, Florida, in a couple weeks, has been throwing with the Chargers when he gets the opportunity. He's getting his arm in shape while giving tips to the Edison players. In some ways, he's just one of the guys. That's the way he likes it. "The first couple times I was here no one was talking to me. I was like, what the heck is this? You gotta have a little banter. That's what makes baseball baseball," Wolf said. "I love coming out here. They're gracious enough to throw with me and put up with my different routines." Wolf missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2019. The big left-handed pitcher, who was a fifth-round draft choice in 2018 after a standout career at the University of Louisville, was in a brace for six weeks before he began the long road back to the mound. "I'm starting to get it ramped back up to where it was before the injury," said Wolf, who says he'll let it rip soon so he's 100 percent when he arrives in Florida. "I haven't had any real setbacks, which has been great," he said. "But the things I thought I was going to have issues with, I haven't as much. But I've had other issues I didn't expect as much. It's been 15, 16 months. It's just a long process." Wolf does some throwing at T3 Performance in Avon. When he works out at Edison, catchers Dominic Dymond and Cam Smith are on the receiving end of his pitches. "Cam and Dom have been great. They're up for whatever, which is awesome," Wolf said. "I was like, 'Hey, guys, first bullpen post-surgery. Bear with me.' They were like, no worries. "They're looking to learn. I was never a catcher, but I've worked with catchers the most out of any position, so I can help with a couple things at least." Dymond admits to being a bit "scared" when Hoover told him Wolf was looking to put in some work at his old school. Now the sophomore treats Wolf like another teammate. A very talented one. "It's fun. It's a lot faster than what I'm used to, but I like catching Adam," Dymond said. "When I catch high school kids, now it's a lot slower. I have to block Adam's off-speed pitches and be able to see those coming out of his hand. "He's not throwing 100 percent, but it's still pretty fast for me." Hoover said it took his catchers a day to get used to catching a professional pitcher. "They were both more than willing to do it," Hoover said. "When a guy throws that hard and has good control it's a little easier than someone bouncing the baseballs around." It helps that Wolf is not a high-maintenance kind of guy. "He's not above everyone; he jokes around with everyone," Dymond said. "I just want to help him out. "Plus, bullpens aren't just for pitchers; catchers can get some work in, too. I try to ask Adam questions. Sometimes I feel like I might be annoying, but he's super chill. I would never ever guess he plays in the minor leagues." Wolf, who had a 4-10 record with 6.23 earned-run average in 2019 with the Class A West Michigan Whitecaps, says he just wants to play "good baseball" this year. He would like to start the season back at West Michigan, which is the Tigers' High Class A affiliate. Wolf finished on a positive note two years ago with the Whitecaps, compiling a 3.13 ERA in his last five outings. "My last full season was very bad statistically, and mentally it beat me down," Wolf said. "I just want to play good baseball and go back to enjoying the game. That'll be a good season for me." Wolf said the surgery and subsequent rehab gave him time to work on his mechanics, something that might help his velocity more than the ulnar collateral ligament surgery, which some have credited for helping pitchers throw harder. "The ligament isn't any stronger, but over the last 12 months I'm sitting back on my back heel a little more, I'm driving off the outside of my foot, I'm landing on a stiffer front leg," Wolf said. "Those are the things that are helping increase my velocity." Wolf is ready to get back to serious baseball. He's been living at home with his parents, Christine and Gary, since the coronavirus shut down baseball a year ago. "They're happy to have me home. I feel like I've maybe not overstayed my welcome, but I've stayed my welcome," Wolf said. "I'm coming up on a year now. I haven't spent that much time at home since I went to college, total, before this year. But it's been awesome." Before he heads to Florida, the 24-year-old prospect will have to lose the beard he's grown. Just a little reminder of where he stands in the Tigers' pecking order. "Day before I leave. I have to show up clean-shaven," he said. "The Tigers have their own specific rules with facial hair and long hair. Once you get to Triple-A you can do whatever you want."