Maddon doesn't want to rush Adell to Majors

Angels' top prospect impressing during Summer Camp

July 16th, 2020

ANAHEIM -- Angels top prospect Jo Adell has continued to impress at the plate in Summer Camp, but manager Joe Maddon cautioned Wednesday that there’s no reason to rush the 20-year-old right fielder to the Majors.

Adell, the No. 6 overall prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline, has smacked several extra-base hits at Angel Stadium this week, including a homer off Jose Rodriguez, a triple off Dylan Bundy and a double off Keynan Middleton. But Maddon said not to get too caught up with statistics in preseason play.

“He has things to work on, quite frankly,” Maddon said. “Don't be deceived by a couple well-struck balls in a Spring Training game, whether it's here now or in an actual spring that we just went through. He's making progress. He is a Major League player in the making. But don't try to rush a young man like this, you want to make sure that when you do pull the switch and put him out there that he's absolutely ready for it, that he stays here and he continues to progress.”

But Maddon didn’t want to downplay the obvious talent of Adell, who is the club’s highest-rated prospect since superstar Mike Trout. Adell just hasn't had much experience in the high levels of the Minors, with only 27 career games at Triple-A and 60 at Double-A, including some offensive struggles last year with Triple-A Salt Lake.

Trout made the jump straight to the Majors from Double-A in 2011, but he scuffled in his first taste of the big leagues and returned to Triple-A Salt Lake to open the 2012 season, before embarking on his American League Rookie of the Year Award-winning campaign and establishing himself as baseball's premier player.

“This guy is absolutely a huge part of our future,” Maddon said of Adell. “No question. But, again, there's really no rush. Just make sure that all the boxes are checked, that he's able to work in all the different areas that make a complete Major League Baseball player. I've been around situations where guys have been rushed. And when you do that, you could lose a really good player.”

Maddon was asked directly if Adell had any chance to make the 30-man Opening Day roster, but he wouldn’t say anything definitive. Adell isn’t currently on the 40-man roster, and based on Maddon’s statements on Wednesday, it doesn’t look like he’ll be added to the roster for the start of the regular season. Playing time is also a factor, as Brian Goodwin is the club’s starting right fielder with David Fletcher and Michael Hermosillo expected to be the backups.

“I like the progress that he's making,” Maddon said. “I'm not going to say can or cannot. I'm just going to tell you that I like what he's doing right now. You've been watching, too. Just start counting players' heads, names, positions and I think you'll be able to figure it out.”

Roster moves
The Angels made multiple roster moves on Wednesday and saw the arrival of second baseman Luis Rengifo, who remains on the 10-day injured list for undisclosed reasons. Rengifo is eligible to be reinstated on Thursday. It’s unclear if he’ll have enough time to get ready to serve as a backup infielder on the Opening Day roster.

Right-hander Denny Brady was added to the Halos' 60-man player pool, adding depth to the alternate training site in Long Beach. The 23-year-old posted a 3.64 ERA with 86 strikeouts and 25 walks in 76 2/3 innings with Class A Advanced Inland Empire last year.

Right-hander Parker Markel was in camp, but he was added to the 10-day IL for undisclosed reasons. Maddon would only say it wasn’t injury-related. Markel will not be ready for the start of the season as a result.

Angels tidbits
• The Angels held their first intrasquad night game on Wednesday and turned on the scoreboards in left and right fields. Players used their regular walk-up songs for their at-bats, but closer Hansel Robles added his own music, blaring a trumpet from the bench. The club will have an intrasquad day game on Thursday, with the regulars set for a day of rest. Relievers Kyle Keller, Hoby Milner, Adrian De Horta and Jacob Rhame are set to pitch.

• Right-hander Chris Rodriguez, the Angels' No. 7 prospect, was impressive on Wednesday, throwing four scoreless innings with one hit allowed. Maddon said earlier in the day that there’s a chance Rodriguez could debut late in the season.

• Left-hander Reid Detmers, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2020 Draft, is not set to pitch in any of the intrasquad games at Angel Stadium, Maddon said. Detmers will continue to get his work in at Long Beach’s Blair Field.