PEORIA -- It’s already been quite a week for Angels prospect Jo Adell and we’re only three days into it.
On Tuesday, the outfielder was named to the Arizona Fall League's Falls Stars Game. On Wednesday, he was named the AFL’s Hitter of The Week.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Adell said. “I think I’m starting to loosen up a little bit and get into the rhythm of things, know what to expect and seeing [pitchers] another time through.”
Last week, Adell hit .462 with one home run, three doubles, five RBIs and four runs scored for the Mesa Solar Sox in four games. He also walked three times, stole a base and finished the stretch with .500 OBP and .765 slugging percentage.
“My approach is the same, but it was about how I was preparing my pre-pitch before the pitcher delivers,” Adell said. “I looked at some video of how I did in the past and some of the swings I put up. I just kind of got back to that.”
It’s been quite a turnaround for the No. 5 prospect on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list. He started Arizona Fall League play with one hit in his first 24 at-bats, but he didn’t panic. He racked up four hits against Los Mochis on Sept. 25 and never looked back. He went on to pick up at least one hit in the seven games that followed. He’s also scored 12 runs in his last 10 games.
Overall, Adell ranks among the AFL leaders in hits (17), doubles (six), extra-base hits (eight) and total bases (29). On Tuesday, he went 0-for-2 with two walks and a strikeout in the 6-1 loss against the Surprise Saguaros at the Peoria Sports Complex.
“It’s been awesome,” Adell said of his AFL experience. “There have a been a lot of really good arms and arms that I haven’t seen. Guys have come out of nowhere, and there are really talented players all around. Guys are hitting and playing defense. It’s been great so far.”