Angels’ Jo Adell has a nightmare game for the ages

It has been rough-sledding for Los Angeles Angels’ rookie Jo Adell, and things can’t get much worse than they did during Sunday’s game.

There are moments in baseball when everything goes perfectly right. Then there are moments when everything seems to be going wrong. Unfortunately for the Angels’ Jo Adell, he was stuck with the latter during a nightmare of a game on Sunday.

Just four games into his Major League career and Adell is finding out the hard way that adjusting to life in the big leagues is tough. Coupled with being under a magnifying glass as one of the top prospects in the game, and expectations can weigh heavily on a young player. As such, it isn’t surprising that the 21-year-old has looked a little green during his first handful of games. He’s even missed a few games with an injury.

In four games since his call-up, Adell has just two hits in 15 at-bats. To make matters worse, he’s struggled to put the bat on the ball, striking out nine times and currently floating a contact rate of just 55.9%. Add in some defensive mistakes in the outfield, as he’s looked every bit the part of being a rookie.

While many expect Adell to turn it around quickly, he’s going to hit a few bumps in the road along the way. Unfortunately, he hit a major pot hole on Sunday.

In the Angels loss on Sunday, August 9th, Adell had perhaps the worst game a major league player could have.

In the top of the fifth inning, Rangers infielder Nick Solak hit a deep fly ball to right-center field. Adell appeared to be tracking it well but then had to change direction to make the catch. Unfortunately, the catch was not made, and Adell will now live in infamy for this blunder.

As you can see, the change in direction forced Adell to go back to his glove side, where it then hit off the webbing of his glove and bounced over the fence without touching the ground. For those scoring at home, it is not a home run, but a rare four-base error. Same result, just a technicality.

Fans around the world immediately put Adell’s botch into the same category of Jose Canseco’s infamous header over the fence. Coincidentally enough, that one came while Canseco was wearing a Rangers uniform.

As if things could get any worse for Adell in the game, the uber-prospect also achieved another infamous fete in the game. By striking out in all four at-bats on Sunday, Adell took home the Golden Sombrero as well.

The Angels host the Oakland Athletics on Monday, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see manager Joe Maddon give Adell the night off to collect himself a bit. He’s already pressing a bit with the high expectations placed upon him, but to do so after a game like that would be a tough go for any player.

And if the Angels need any further proof of that, they only have to look at Canseco. The outfielder went 0-for-4 the day after heading the ball over the fence against the Indians. Two days later he pitched in a game for the first time and hurt himself, ultimately needing Tommy John surgery.