Jo Adell has been a different player in 2024. All offseason, the conversation surrounding Adell was his lack of minor league options, and that the Los Angeles Angels were going to have to bring him on to the Major League roster or find a new home for him. They opted to bring him on to the 26-man roster despite a crowded outfield after a strong Spring Training.
The results have been better than anyone could have reasonably expected. In 43 plate appearances, Adell is slashing .316/.372/.553 with a .925 OPS. He has five stolen bases and four extra-base hits. His strikeout rate is down from 35.4% in his first four seasons to 23.3%. And it all stems from a new approach that discourages pulling the ball to the left side of the field.
Angels manager Ron Washington came to Adell with the new approach to see if it could change his fortunes at the plate, according to Jeff Fletcher of The O.C Register:
“I think before this year, he was all pull,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “We challenged him in spring training to use the right side of the field. Hit some balls between first and second. Hit some balls in the right-center field alley, and he’s taken to it. It’s sort of opened up his offensive game. He’s not just one dimensional. The results are starting to pay off.”
For Adell, the new approach is undoubtedly helping. But he has also coupled it with a mindset of not seeking out power and instead just trying to make little things happen at the plate.
“For me, it’s just getting there and looking for a pitch to hit and not looking to do too much, just simplifying what I’m trying to do,” Adell said. “If they make a mistake, I’ll be able to put one in the seats, but that’s not the primary goal. … I think that’s shrunk the zone for me, and I’ve made better decisions. It’s been more consistent, so I’m going to stay the course with that.”
If the Angels get the version of Adell they believed they were getting four years ago, it not only alters the team’s ceiling this season, but could reasonably change how the Halos approach the next few years. Adell is still only 25, and is now in the beginning stages of his best year as a pro.
Angels-Twins probables
The Angels have lost six of their last seven games, but have a three-game weekend series against the Minnesota Twins (11-13) to get back on track. Here are the probable starters for this weekend in Anaheim.
Friday, April 26, 6:38 p.m. PT
Patrick Sandoval vs. Bailey Ober
Saturday, April 27, 6:38 p.m. PT
Jose Soriano vs. Chris Paddack
Sunday, April 28, 1:07 p.m. PT
Reid Detmers vs. Pablo Lopez
