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LA Angels: 3 reasons the Angels should not bring up Jo Adell

By Evan Desai |
Sep 5, 2020; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jo Adell (59) hits a solo home run against the Houston Astros during the game at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Angels Baseball/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Network
Sep 5, 2020; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jo Adell (59) hits a solo home run against the Houston Astros during the game at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Angels Baseball/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Network
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Sure, Jo Adell has been mashing at the plate for the LA Angels Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake.

Jo Adell has smoked 12 home runs and four doubles in just 23 games for the Salt Lake Bees, speculating whether it’s time for him to return to the LA Angels Major League club right now.

Just a few hours ago, I wrote from the perspective that Jo Adell should be called up. This article, however, will be written from the perspective that Adell should not be brought up:

Number 1 reason that the Angels should not bring up Jo Adell: He’s too boom-or-bust at the plate right now

You know the numbers. Adell’s hitting all these home runs and driving in all these RBIs.

But do you really know the numbers? Are you aware that Adell’s also struck out 36 times in 109 plate appearances?

It’s no reason to be discouraged from Adell’s long-term prospects, but bringing him up this early when he at times seems to just either hit a home run or strike out could affect his development. Usually, clubs don’t want to bring up guys who aren’t displaying as many tools as they can from the lower levels.

Adell can hit for power, but if he’s striking out so much to the point where he’s batting .238, how well is he really going to succeed as a pure hitter in the MLB?

Hitting Major League pitching is the hardest thing to do in sports, so if he can’t hit for average in the Minors, he most likely won’t have a very high number of quality at-bats, and that could have him lose some confidence.

Losing confidence could then affect the number of home runs that he’s hitting. His on-base percentage is .294. That’s legitimately bad for the Triple-A level.

Let him improve his vision and focus on having consistent quality at-bats before sending him up to the Majors.

Aug 31, 2020; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jo Adell (59) defends during the game against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Angels Baseball/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Network
Aug 31, 2020; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jo Adell (59) defends during the game against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Angels Baseball/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Network /

Number 2 reason that the Angels should not bring up Jo Adell: He’s still not sound defensively

LA Angels fans all remember Jo Adell’s defensive struggles last season. From that four-base error, to other mistakes on defense, it was something the Angels needed to see improvement on in the Minors this year.

While the scouting reports on Adell have noted improvement on defense, his biggest criticism still hits on the defensive side of the game.

He’s shown that he can make some highlight-reel plays, but defense is of course more than that.

The LA Angels are hands-down the worst defensive team in the MLB. They lead the MLB with 44 errors (the team’s only played 55 games), and their .977 fielding percentage is also the worst in the MLB.

Adell had a .961 fielding percentage last season for the Angels. Again, he’s improved since then, but that’s not saying a ton. Adell needed to have made major defensive improvement to earn his shot at consistent Major League playing time.

And GM Perry Minasian has made it clear that he wants to send Adell up to the Major Leagues when he’s ready to play there for the rest of the season. The Angels aren’t interested in having Adell develop on defense through trial-and-error in the MLB. They need him to be ready when they call him up, and ready to stay put in the Majors.

Aug 29, 2020; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jo Adell (59) fist bumps the coaching staff after the game against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Angels Baseball/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Network
Aug 29, 2020; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jo Adell (59) fist bumps the coaching staff after the game against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Angels Baseball/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Network /

Number 3 reason that the Angels should not bring up Jo Adell: Trout’s out, but the Angels don’t necessarily need the depth yet

Mike Trout being injured called for lots of concern. The players who have had to step up in Trout’s absence, however, haven’t been looking all too bad, though.

In his last 12 games, Taylor Ward’s hitting .297/.381/.514 while driving in nine runs and smoking two over the fence. He’s played solid defense as well. Adell can hit for the same power as Ward, or better, but wouldn’t be as good of an all-around hitter as Ward’s been lately.

Also, Juan Lagares, who has replaced Trout in center during Trout’s injury, isn’t bad either. The former Gold Glover always plays great defense, and even enjoyed a five-game hitting streak just a week ago.

He’s shown the ability to hit for average and step up at times. He’s not great offensively, but combining his great defense with some nice moments at the plate without Trout in the lineup has been serviceable.

It’s been better than many had expected with Trout out of baseball, so it isn’t evident that the Angels necessarily need  Adell to come in immediately and provide depth.

Next. Injuries, underachievement highlight Rendon signing

Adell has a bright future in this league, but he still needs to work on his contact, his consistency in having quality at-bats, and his defense. He needs to sure up those areas before the Angels promote him and risk his confidence dipping if he struggles.

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