Jo Adell needs change of scenery from Los Angeles Angels

At this point, it is fair to wonder if Jo Adell will ever live up to expectations. The Los Angeles Angels outfielder had been a consensus top 100 prospect from 2018 through 2020. Baseball America still had high hopes for Adell heading into 2021, ranking him as their 13th best prospect while other publications had written him off.

The luster is entirely gone from Adell at this time. Although he had made the Angels’ Opening Day roster, he had done nothing with the opportunity. Adell was bypassed on the depth chart, and with an outfield of Brandon Marsh, Mike Trout, and Taylor Ward, he was not going to see much playing time. It was not a surprise when he was optioned down to Triple-A once more with a utility infielder brought up in his place.

Jo Adell needs off of the Los Angeles Angels

No one can blame the Angels for sending Adell back to the minors. He had a .231/.242/.431 batting line in his 66 plate appearances, hitting four doubles and three homers, but he also drew a walk and struck out 24 times. His 95 OPS+, fueled by that pop, is actually the best he has put together in any season during his time in the majors thus far.

There is reason to hope that the narrative will change for Adell. He is just 23 years old and has not exactly had a long run in the majors to figure things out. At the same time, with the Angels hoping to contend for a playoff spot this season, and their outfield locked up for the foreseeable future, they do not have a place for him in the lineup.

Adell can still play a part in the Angels’ future, albeit in an unexpected way. They are likely going to be on the lookout for pitching, either in the back of their rotation or to fortify the bullpen. Adell could be sent elsewhere for such an upgrade.

Such a result would certainly be disappointing. However, it is clear that the marriage between Adell and the Angels is not working out. Perhaps the pressure of being such a highly touted prospect was too much. Or maybe he will just never become the player he was expected to be. But one thing is clear – if Adell is going to live up to expectations, he will need to be sent elsewhere.

Jo Adell was supposed to be the next star for the Los Angeles Angels. Instead, he may never reach his full potential in the Angels’ organization.