The Matt Adams era has begun.
The highly touted prospect was called up from Triple-A Memphis Sunday when the club placed first baseman Lance Berkman on the disabled list with an injury to his right knee.
Adams, who hit .340 with nine home runs, 10 doubles and 27 RBI in 37 games for Memphis, arrives with plenty of hype after speeding through the Cardinals farm system with some impressive power numbers.
The left-handed swinging slugger was the Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year in 2011 after hitting .300 with 32 home runs and 101 RBIs for Double-A Springfield.
Adams will make his Major League debut Sunday night at Dodgers Stadium when the Cardinals finish a three-game set with Los Angeles, batting seventh and playing first base.
The 23-year-old Adams was a 23rd-round selection by the Cardinals out of Slippery Rock University in 2009. He reaches the big leagues less than three years after joining the Cardinals system.
The 6-3, 230-pound Adams was a career .318 hitter in parts of four Minor League seasons, belting 73 home runs, 91 doubles and 268 RBIs in 336 games. He turned plenty of heads during an impressive showing in spring training this spring.
The Cardinals have been ravaged with injuries of late. Outfielders Jon Jay and Allen Craig and pitcher Kyle McClellan have also been placed on the disabled list in the last week. Berkman will be examined further on Monday back in St. Louis.
Adams figures to get regular playing time at first base right away.
