No one is more excited for Opening Day than Jo Adell.
The Los Angeles Angels’ centerfielder is looking to build off his breakout 2024 season where he played 130 games, had over 400 at-bats and belted a career-high 21 home runs.
Jo Adell Talks To MLBbro.com About Possible Breakout Season
“For me, it’s special to get a spot on the Opening Day roster, it’s credit to the work we do in the spring,” said Adell to MLBbro.com.
The Angels will open their season in Chicago against the White Sox on Thursday, and Adell will be filling big shoes in center. Adell is replacing Mike Trout, who has been moved to right field in an attempt to keep him healthy.
“With a guy like Mike, you would never think he would leave centerfield,” Adell said of the former All-Star. “But to keep him on the field and his bat in the lineup, we gotta do what we gotta do.”
The 2024 season was a standout year particularly on defense. He solidified his role as the team’s right fielder and showcased exceptional reliability. Adell’s fielding percentage was nearly perfect, highlighting his defensive prowess throughout the year.
Jo Adell Worked This Spring To Improve On Solid 2024
This spring, Adell, 25, has worked closely with second-year manager Ron Washington, who has been impressed with his growth and dedication.
Washington, known for his ability to develop players defensively, has been hands-on with Adell, helping him refine his footwork, reads off the bat, and overall command of the centerfield position.
Washington believes Adell – the 10th overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft – can be a pivotal part of the Angels’ future and is excited about the potential he brings to the organization.
Adell – whose season ended on the 60-day injured list after a left oblique strain -hopes to stay healthy the entire year and build on last season. Without question, Adell has developed after spending his first three seasons in the minors.
In 2017, Adell posted a .376 on-base percentage along with a .325 batting average. In both 2018 and 2019, he maintained a .280 batting average, demonstrating consistency that caught the attention of the Angels’ scouting team.
Adell, from Shelby, North Carolina, was called up during the 2020 season, but the pandemic-shortened year limited his opportunities, preventing him from putting up the numbers he wanted.
However, his availability stood out, and from 2020 to 2022, he appeared in 50 more games, gaining valuable experience at the Major League level. But 2024 was a watermark moment. “I was glad to get a little over the 400-mark (at-bats), that’s where I wanted to be.” Adell said.
LA Angels Manager Ron Washington Believes In Jo Adell
As Opening Day approaches, all eyes will be on Adell—not just to see if he can replicate his offensive success, but also to see how he handles the transition to centerfield.
With the support of his teammates, coaching staff, and a renewed confidence in his abilities, Adell is ready to prove that his breakout season was just the beginning. With his speed – grabbed 15 bags last season – power and great glove, he has the making of an All-Star.
Now, heading into 2025, Adell is more motivated than ever. With a full season of success behind him, he’s ready to take his game to even greater heights and establish himself as a cornerstone of the Angels’ future.
The former two-time All-Star shortstop is looking for a role, redemption, and his place back in the game he once dominated.
Return Of TA7: Tim Anderson Gets Call To Spring Training With LA Angels
Anderson signed a minor-league contract with the Los Angeles Angels for 2025, receiving an invite to Spring Training. After being designated for assignment by the Miami Marlins last July, Anderson used his time away to rediscover his love for the game and refine his approach at the plate.
“I lost a lot of feel for hitting, for even having an idea on how to hit, so I had to relearn all those things and get my body back healthy,” he told MLBbro.com.
Anderson now believes he has a deeper understanding of his approach at the plate, as he feels that a lot of his past success was built on more of his raw talent and straightforward routine. He’s hitting 231 this spring with six hits in 26 at-bats, but the more positive sign is that he’s already hit a home run after failing to launch one out of the park all of 2024.
“All the success that I had in the beginning was just off of God-given. My biggest key was staying on the inside of the baseball, that’s very simple,” Anderson said. “Nowadays, you can’t do that. You’ve got to learn your technique; you’ve got to learn how to get your moves off, and that’s something that I toned in. So just imagine, I understand what I’m doing now versus what I was just playing with on the last success, so I’ve got a chance to really do something special…”
Tim Anderson Is Former All-Star & Batting Champion
From 2019 to 2022, Anderson was a key figure at the top of the Chicago White Sox lineup, hitting .318 with an .820 OPS over those four seasons. He won the AL Batting Crown and hit .335 in 2019, while also winning a Silver Slugger award in 2020 and earned two All-Star nods in 2021 and 2022.
However, injuries derailed his hitting prowess—a torn ligament in his finger in 2022 and an MCL sprain in 2023 led to declining performance. Anderson finished the 2023 season with a .582 OPS, and his struggles continued in Miami in 2024, where he hit career lows in average (.214) and OPS (.463).
Some off the field issues, didn’t help his focus. The Marlins cut ties with Anderson just before Independence Day, when he was planning to let his three children watch the fireworks after a game. He vows to make sure his kids have that opportunity going forward and says that his experience last season has allowed him to put a positive outlook on things.
“It was actually great for me, because I got a chance for me to really, you know, soak up real life and understand that there’s…a real world going on out there — you get so consumed in the baseball world and you forget that there’s real things going on,” Anderson said. “So I got a real chance to really tone in on taking my kids to school, you know, being in their lives and just being there, you know…It gave me a chance to, you know, get my head right and work. Since I got released, I went right into the lab…I was working for this opportunity…”
Now in Angels camp, Anderson is expanding his versatility, taking reps at shortstop, second base, and even center field. While he has never played the outfield professionally, he believes he has the tools and is eager to learn the intricacies of playing center. “The arm’s there, the athleticism’s there, it’s just a matter of, you know, learning how to play those balls,” he said.
Ron Washington Looking To Maximize Tim Anderson’s Vast Skillset
Angels manager Ron Washington says they aren’t looking to convert Anderson into an outfielder but want to maximize his skill set.
“We’re just trying to find other spots where we might be able to utilize his ability,” Washington told MLBbro.com. “He’s in a good place mentally, working hard physically, and applying the things we’re trying to get him to do.”
Anderson’s passion for the game is reignited. He remembers the player he was — an All-Star, a batting champion, and the man behind one of the most iconic walk-off home runs in recent memory at the 2021 Field of Dreams game. He was an impactful player in different ways several years ago and is confident in his ability to be that guy again.
“You talking about a guy that’s in lead, in charge of the culture, you know, that stuck it to the culture for the culture to stick….in the most humblest way, you know what I mean,” he said.”
Now, with a fresh mindset and a new opportunity, he is all in and ready to prove himself again with a conviction that it’s already written.
“The mission that I’m on, the dream that I’m on, it’s huge…it’s big. You know, it’s gonna happen…” he said. “I’ve just got to continue to stay the course, don’t take anything for granted and cherish every moment and if I’ll take advantage of every opportunity, I’ll get to where I need to be.”
You’re a two-time World Series champion, an American League MVP, an eight-time All-Star, a six-time Silver Slugger award winner, a member of the 30-30 club, part of three All-MLB first teams and these aren’t even half of your accolades.
You’re smack dab in the middle of your prime and still one of the most dangerous hitters In Major League Baseball today with a batting average of .303, 15 bro bombs, 62 RBI and 65 runs scored for the World Series favorites. You’re also known for being clutch.
Sunday August 25, 2024; Mookie Betts #50 of the Dodgers during the game. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays by the final score of 3-1 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Kevin Reece for MLBbro.com)
It’s the tenth inning, you’re up 3-2 with a runner on base. You’re standing on the on-deck circle when something happens. They don’t pitch to the person in front of you; they walk him intentionally… to get to you.
Sure, that person is Shohei Ohtani, but something isn’t adding up. When it comes to the LA Dodgers lineup. You pick your poison.
The “Respect” Won’t Be Tolerated from Betts
That feeling you just felt is a little something called disrespect. That had to be the feeling MLBbro Mookie Betts felt on Tuesday night, when Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington decided to walk Shohei Ohtani to try his luck at getting Betts out instead.
“You’re picking your poison when you deal with the first three hitters (Ohtani, Betts, Freeman). I wasn’t going to let Ohtani swing there, and I have all the respect in the world for Mookie Betts.” Washington said via Bally Sports West.
We get that it’s Sho… but walking anybody to get to #MLBbro Mookie Betts just doesn’t sit right with me 🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/8IW6Bbx9yi
As Rapper Jadakiss would say that sounds good… but it’s not enough. The Angels would pay for this showing of “respect”. On the first pitch Mookie would hit a 3-run homer to blow the game wide open for the Dodgers.
Be Careful What You Wish For
“Yeah, that doesn’t happen often so I kind of black out.” Mookie would say about the strategy of fellow MLBbro Washington. “They walked Sho to get to me, and I was just like alright I mean, if that’s what you want.”
"You know, they walked Sho to get to me, and I was just like, alright." Mookie Betts with @kirsten_watson on his 3-run homer in the 10th. pic.twitter.com/7FbEB94h5W
In fairness I understand the strategy of walking Shohei Ohtani (who’s having a monster season on pace to become the first member of the 50/50 club). Here’s the thing. I understand it, if it’s to anybody EXCEPT Mookie Betts.
“I was hoping Contreras could make a pitch, get a ground ball, and get us a double play and keep the game at (2). First pitch, he left in the middle of the plate and up, and Mookie didn’t miss it. That’s what he gets paid for” Washington would say about the homerun.
Indeed, this is a scenario where MLBbro Mookie Betts gets paid to show up in. Unfortunately for the Angels, it was their turn to pay the tab.
Jo Adell was a first round pick of the Los Angeles Angels in 2017 and made his big league debut in 2020. Since that time the team has had three different managers but this year he has emerged as the everyday right fielder under skipper Ron Washington. Going into the season the Angels were expected to be a bit more aggressive and Adell has been a big part of that. “We’re pushing the issue this year. I’ve worked on getting that jump and not every time have I been safe but I’m trying to get the extra base when I can,” he said about being third on the team in stolen bases.
“The numbers have been good for me, making sure that I’m in every pitch and making good decisions at the plate, it’s exciting” he added. Adell was leading the team with 15 home runs and was second on the team with 43 RBI at the All Star Break.
Adell is from Louisville, Kentucky and is still a big part of the culture in his hometown. “Giving back to the community and being with kids has been a big part of what I focus on in my foundation. We’re always looking to do different projects and help out” he spoke of the Jo Adell Foundation. A couple of the activities that his foundation has taken part in has been providing turkey dinners for those in need during Thanksgiving and hosting a baseball camp at his former high school.
So many Major Leaguers excelled in multiple sports in high school and Adell was no exception. When asked if there was pressure to play basketball he chuckled and said “A little bit. The bigger part was the football. My dad played professionally a little bit and that was on my back as well,” Adell mentioned. “I fell in love with the game really early, I always loved playing and was excited during baseball season so it stuck” he said of his choice to make baseball his career path.
Adell is a player who truly is a student of the game and has learned from multiple players over the years. “Once I got into my first couple of days of pro ball Kyle Lewis was someone I looked up to”. “He was somebody on the mentality side that really helped me” Adell praised the 2020 American League Rookie of the Year. “Torii Hunter has been huge in developing that game plan and mindset of where I need to be” he added. “This entire coaching staff has been a big part of my growth and where I’m at in my game so far” he concluded.
The Los Angeles Angels and Ron Washington, if given the time, could be a match made in heaven. The Angels are considered one of the worst franchises in baseball with the light at the end of the tunnel being a possible oncoming train with superstar Shohei Ohtani in Dodger blue and Mike Trout out with injury. To add insult to injury…
The team has not had a winning season since 2015.
The nearest threat to first place in their division was in the pandemic season back in 2020. Even then, they were ten games behind.
In 2024, they hired Ron Washington as their third manager in three years.
The Angels will not get a baseball savant better than Washington to make the transition overhaul in the next couple of seasons. Ron Washington may be the only person in baseball qualified for such an undertaking.
A winning percentage of .520 over 1,275 games coming into this season.
Four straight 90-plus winning seasons.
Consecutive American League pennants in 2010 and 2011.
Ron Washington Is The Winningest Manager In Texas Rangers History
The narrative where Ron Washington can be undermined as a manager is the style of communication between eras. Washington is old school, direct and very blunt. The modern players in all sports have increasingly bristled at that type of communication. He’s also a font of knowledge who has worked as a bench coach, most recently with the Atlanta Braves’ World Series team, and is renowned for his defensive tutelage of infielders.
Possible Culture Clash With 72-Year-Old Manager?
The first chapter of this potential conflict played out earlier this week on Tuesday night when the Angels lost 7-6 to the St. Louis Cardinals. In the postgame press conference, our MLBbro OG did not pull punches over suggestions (or excuses) about Luis Guillorme’s failed squeeze bunt attempt that ended a potential game-winning scoring chance in the 8th inning.
A lot of fuss being made about the Ron Washington squeeze bunt drama, but regardless whether he was wrong for his postgame comments…
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) May 15, 2024
“Lefty on lefty, and with a sinkerballer on a left-hander, I didn’t want him to hit into a double play,” Washington explained after he was asked why he called for the squeeze. “He can handle the bat. He didn’t do the job. It wasn’t anything I did wrong. He didn’t do the job.”
When a reporter asked about JoJo Romero’s control difficulties…
“Wild? He was throwing it in the strike zone,” Washington said. “Why are you making excuses? He was throwing the ball in the strike zone. [Guillorme] did not get the bunt down. Period.”
Guillorme for the record stated that he had to do a better job of getting the bat on the ball in that type of situation in the future.
Are the Angels bad in reputation and perception? Yes. But this is not an Oakland A’s team who lost 112 games last year and may repeat the feat this season. This is not a Chicago White Sox team who can’t (or won’t) compete financially with the sudden boom of free agent contracts. The other Los Angeles team has resources and assets to move to build around a star in Mike Trout.
Ron Washington Hired To Change Losing Culture
Ron Washington was hired to bring championship habits to a team by developing discipline by way of routine and a focus on the little things required to win as opposed to cliches spoken behind a microphone. He also has first base coach Bo Porter at his disposal. Porter set the foundation of the Astros’ 2017 World Championship and the current core players they have today, enduring losing seasons as Astros manager before the team’s prospects such as Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa blossomed.
The organization chose him to oversee a rebuild and then ushered him out for A.J. Hinch, before he was able to finish the job. So we do know Porter is also equipped to re-establish a culture.
To the ones that thought Washington was wrong for calling out his player… tough! He’s bringing a championship mentality from the Atlanta Braves.
“We need some dogs here,” Washington says. “This isn’t a country club. In Atlanta, those guys battled. They were hungry. They were coming to beat your ass. And if they lost, they were mad. You knew they were coming in hungrier. It only took a day – not four or five days – for those guys to reset and dedicate themselves to kicking your ass.”
It didn’t take long to find out Ron Washington was serious. The question is… are the Los Angeles Angels and their fanbase serious, too?
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