Jo Adell may finally be turning the corner in his sixth MLB season with the Los Angeles Angels. Once a top prospect known for his athleticism and raw power, Adell’s career has been defined mostly as a “wait-and-see,” until now.
According to ESPN’s Todd Zola, Adell is slashing .280/.365/.707 since May 29. He’s also clubbed 10 home runs and driven in 19 RBIs.
“Well, Adell’s usual pitfall is that his excessive strikeout total catches up with him,” Zola wrote Monday.
“He’s still fanning at an above-average clip, but this time, it’s at a career-low pace and it marks the second straight season he’s improved his contact rate. Furthermore, the underlying metrics suggest that Adell should be well inside the top 50 outfielders. His average exit velocity and hard-hit and Barrel rates are all the best of his career. According to Statcast, Adell’s expected batting average is .264 with an expected slugging percentage of .547 (compared to his actual .224 and .479 levels).”
The Angels have also gotten healthy, amid Adell’s recent momentum. Mike Trout’s return from a month-long absence due to a bone bruise injury in his left knee adds another important layer to a strong second-half Angels push. The three-time AL MVP has produced three home runs, 11 RBIs and 16 runs scored since his May 30 return.
Adell Won’t Hit Free Agency Until 2028
Drafted 10th overall in 2017, Adell came up through the Angels’ system as a five-tool prospect with star upside. But the transition to the majors was rocky. The 2020 pandemic season disrupted his development, and injuries and inconsistency followed.
Adell signed a one-year, $2.1 million contract with the Angels in January, avoiding arbitration.
His contributions could be key in keeping the Angels competitive in the tight AL Wild Card race, going into the fresh week hovering around the middle-of-the-pack of the American League at 37-40.
Is His Current Angels Production Sustainable?
That’s the central question. Can Adell maintain this performance over a full season? The signs are promising for Los Angeles.
Trout is back from IL, and is playing at a high level once again. At 26 years old, Adell is entering what many view as a hitter’s prime. If he continues to make smart adjustments and stays healthy, this could be the true breakout that finally unlocks his full potential.
A breakout in his sixth season could completely reshape the narrative. Long viewed as a high-upside wild card, he now looks like a player capable of becoming a core piece for the Angels’ future. This stretch of elite production could lead to more playing time, larger roles, and long-term stability in a franchise that’s been hungry for emerging talent.
For Angels fans, Adell’s latest stretch feels different. The numbers are strong, but the maturity behind them is even more telling.
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