There’s never been a question about Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell’s talent.
That’s been evident since the Angels made the five-tool player the tenth overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. Expected to be a cornerstone piece for the Angels along with superstar Mike Trout when drafted, Adell just hasn’t been able to put it altogether. But 2023 was supposed to be the year that he did, and while he’s shown flashes in Triple-A, that hasn’t translated to the majors.
Adell’s inconsistencies this season weren’t about effort or lackluster play, but injuries. The speedy outfielder just finished a 60-day stint on the injured list. The injury occurred just four games into his last call up to the majors in July. Adell had a tremendous opportunity to play every day and earn his keep filling in for superstar Trout who was injured on July 3.
Adell unfortunately suffered another injury to his oblique on July 7, pretty much taking away his opportunity to show he belongs in the majors.
Adell Says Injury Came At Inopportune Time
After hitting 23 homers in the first half of the Triple-A season, the belief was Adell was ready to completely turn the corner after years of teasing with his elite skill set, and the injury to the Trout was the perfect opportunity to showcase it. Until it wasn’t.
Upon his return last weekend Adell spoke with reporters about that lost opportunity.
“I think that was the thing that was most disappointing when I got hurt, just knowing you know the roster shrinkage and the players that were already down,” Adell said earlier this week. “It felt like a chance for me to come and really help, with the roster kind of diminishing a little bit.”
Adell says the oblique injury first occurred in 2021, and he tweaked it July 7, 2023. Now having suffered the injury twice in three seasons, he and the Angels are being more cautious as to how they approach it daily.
Adell says he has “a better routine now,” which will help prevent a repeat of the injury. In regard to his mental approach concerning the injury, Adell told reporters this …
“I’m really not worried about it,” he said. “It’s a thing of the past.”
Manager Phil Nevin Excited For Jo Adell’s Return
Prior to the 2023 season Angels manager Phil Nevin mentioned that he expected Adell to play a vital role in the team’s success, and while that hasn’t manifested, he’s happy to see him back. Nevin, also told reporters he likes what he sees in Adell’s new approach at the plate, which includes a swing that is no longer just hit-or-miss.
That approach should bode well for Adell’s future with the club which was in doubt for most of this season.
Adell, spent his rehab with Triple-A Salt Lake, adding to his homer mark which now sits at 25. Getting back to MLB shape wasn’t easy. But the real challenge wasn’t the work, it was more about patience he had to have, Adell explained.
“These last couple weeks of rehab, I was getting really antsy,” he said. “I trusted our process of getting back and doing the things we needed to do.”
With the future of superstar Shohei Ohtani up in the air in LA, and Trout’s injury history, the Angels can’t afford to give up on a talent like Adell.
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