Jo Adell Returns To Bees, Ready To Play Immediately
May 6, 2022, 5:11 PM | Updated: 6:35 pm
PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 23: Jo Adell #7 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts to a strikeout against the San Diego Padres during the first inning of the MLB spring training game at Peoria Stadium on March 23, 2022 in Peoria, Arizona.
SALT LAKE CITY – Former first-round pick and top Angels prospect Jo Adell has been optioned to the Salt Lake Bees after struggling out of the gate this season.
A top prospect since being drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the first round (10th overall) out of Ballard High School in Louisville, Kentucky, Adell has failed to live up to his top-prospect billing in his three stints with the Angels since debuting in 2020.
#Angels demote Jo Adell, who had been struggling with limited playing time: Adell was having trouble at the plate and in the field while playing sparingly, and the Angels hope he’ll improve with everyday playing time at Triple-A. https://t.co/AsBpeSAA37 pic.twitter.com/TMAXx8Pagm
— LA Angels Baseball News (@LAAngelsBB) May 4, 2022
Adell was initially called up by the Angels during the shortened 2020 season. In 38 games Adell slashed .161/.212/.266, appearing at times to be overwhelmed by major league stuff as evidenced by his 44.3% strikeout rate; well above the league average of 23.5%.
While the batting average jumped to .246 in 130 at-bats in 2021, a familiar issue returned as Adell struck out 32 times while walking just eight times, a concerning 8:1 strikeout-walk ratio.
After striking out 24 times while walking once in 66 plate appearance. Life in the outfield hasn’t gone much better for Adell as his defense is tied for the second-worst among all MLB outfielders by Statcast.
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Indicating that a roster crunch in the outfield had as much to do with his demotion as his play, Adell said “It’s a really good offensive team up there, I went in and contributed and did the best that I could.” Adell continued, “They’re doing a lot of matchup stuff with the lineup, some different lefties playing the outfield. So it’s kind of a way here for me to get back and be playing every day, and hopefully get back there and back in the mix.”
Some guys just need to play and with the performances of Mike Trout, Brandon Marsh, Taylor Ward and Jared Walsh the Angels outfield if in a pinch and Adell was the odd man out. After processing the initial disappointment, Adell is ready to fight for a promotion.
Jo Adell on when @SaltLakeBees and @Angels fans can expect to see him in the lineup, "I'm a player. I'm ready to go you know; it's baseball. I play this, I do this for a living."
Is expected to be in the manager Lou Marson's lineup tonight at 6:35 p.m. against the @RainiersLand
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 6, 2022
“I did the best I could, I contributed, I helped him win games. And hopefully, I can continue to do my thing here. So, all right now I’m here with these guys. We’re gonna get after it. We’re gonna win some games. Hope I can help.”
He doesn’t expect to be waiting long for his chance to play.
“No, I’m a player. I’m ready to go. I’m not sad. This isn’t like a sad this isn’t a sob stories. I think this is, like I said, it’s business. I’m ready to go you know it’s it’s baseball I play this I do this for a living this in my life.”
With a determination evident in his tone and body language, Adell appears poised for a breakout at the Triple-A level and his presence in the lineup can only help a statistically middle of the pack Bees offense.
Salt Lake is home for three more games against the Tacoma Rainiers before heading back out o the road next week. First pitch for Friday and Saturday’s games is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. (MST) with a 1:05 p.m. matinee scheduled for Mother’s Day on May 8. All Bees games can be heard on The Zone Sports Network and tickets for the Bees can be purchased at slbees.com.
