Emotional Homecoming at Angel Stadium
Jo Adell stepped onto the field at Angel Stadium on Monday afternoon for the first time as a member of the Cleveland Guardians, heading straight toward home plate to bear-hug former teammates and coaches near the batting cage. It was about two and a half hours before the Angels hosted the Guardians in the opener of a three-game series, and exactly three weeks since the Angels traded him to Cleveland in exchange for catching prospect Jacob Cozart, as reported by the Santa Ana Orange County Register.
Adell spent the first six and a half seasons of his MLB career with the Angels after the franchise selected him with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. He made his big-league debut in 2020. According to Newsweek, Adell received a standing ovation from Los Angeles Angels fans during his first at-bat of the game. Serving as designated hitter, he went 1-for-3 with a walk and a go-ahead RBI in Cleveland's 4-2 victory. The Guardians have two more games in the series on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Speaking from the visitor’s dugout, Adell reflected on his time in Anaheim. “It’s just kind of crazy. I turned into a man and a big leaguer in the Angels organization,” he said, as quoted by the Santa Ana Orange County Register. “A lot of great memories here, and I became the player that I am today in this organization, so it’s pretty surreal to be out here now.” Newsweek carried a similar reflection in which Adell described returning to the stadium as a reminder of all he has experienced. “I kind of became a man, you know, in the game here in Anaheim, and the ups, the downs, the great moments—you know, everything started on this field,” he said. “And every time that I come here, it’s that reminder of the player that I am today. It happened here at the stadium, so it’s really a really surreal moment, and just really proud of my time, you know, as an Angel.”
From Trade Deadline Move to Playoff Contention
When the trade occurred on Aug. 3, the Angels had an off day, which limited Adell’s chance to say farewell in person. “When I got traded, I didn’t get to see a lot of the guys because it was an off day,” Adell told cleveland.com. “It will be cool to see some extra faces that I missed. I want to wish everybody the best. At the end of the day, the game is a business and we’re all striving to be the best we can and be in a situation that works for us.” He added that he is one of several players traded from the Angels and looks forward to reconnecting.
Adell arrived in Cleveland producing runs. cleveland.com reported his early numbers with the Guardians as .246 (14 for 57) with four doubles, four homers and 15 RBI in 14 games. In his last six games before the series, he was 9 for 23 (.391) with two doubles, two homers and 11 RBI. The Santa Ana Orange County Register noted he has driven in 17 runs through his first 17 games with Cleveland while batting in the No. 3 spot and playing right field.
He announced himself to Cleveland fans on Aug. 18 with a 3-for-4 performance and a career-high six RBI in an 8-1 win over the Giants, according to cleveland.com. That night he hit a three-run homer estimated at 455 feet—the longest of his career and the longest by a Guardians player this season—before leaving due to swelling in his left knee after fouling a pitch off it. After missing a game, he returned as a pinch hitter and continued to hit. In his first start back, he went 2 for 5 with an RBI in a 9-1 win over the Rockies. The next day, in a 4-3 victory, he hit a three-run, 450-foot homer in the fourth inning that scored Chase DeLauter and Jose Ramirez for a 3-0 lead. That blast gave Adell 20 or more home runs for the third straight season.
Last year with the Angels, Adell set career highs with 37 homers and 98 RBI. At the time of the trade this season he had 16 homers and 62 RBI. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt praised the addition, telling cleveland.com: “Jo came in excited from day one to be here and (the) clubhouse welcomed him. We haven’t had a guy who hits the ball like that for a while.” Adell described his approach simply: he knew his job was to “do damage and find pitches I can handle,” remaining aggressive at the plate.
Transition to a Contending Club
The move took Adell from one of the worst teams in the majors this season to a Cleveland club tied with the Texas Rangers for the final American League wild-card spot heading into the week, the Santa Ana Orange County Register reported. Newsweek noted the Guardians are in a tight race for the last wild-card berth and that Adell is battling to make the first playoff run of his career. “The best part about being over here is just jumping right into games and being right in that playoff race,” Adell said. “That’s where we are right now. We’re expecting to come out here and win every game. Really, to step in the middle of the lineup and be a guy that can help the team do that, I’m really honored and glad for the chance to be part of this.”
Adell also spoke warmly of the support he received from Angels fans over nine years after being drafted. “The Angel fans gave me great support,” he told cleveland.com. “It was a great experience from a support standpoint. Every game we played we felt the support of the fans.” The Angels still plan to distribute a Jo Adell promotional football jersey on Sunday and a bobblehead on Sept. 16 honoring the night he robbed three home runs against the Seattle Mariners on April 4. Adell said he is honored the organization is continuing with the giveaways, though glad they are not scheduled while the Guardians are in town.
Around the Series
Angels shortstop Zach Neto was named AL Player of the Week after going 14 for 28 with two home runs and seven RBIs on a six-game road trip, raising his average from .221 to .237 and his OPS from .715 to .753, according to the Santa Ana Orange County Register. Manager Kurt Suzuki said of Neto: “It’s a testament to him and his commitment and his will to keep getting better every day.” Suzuki also noted the club wants to use the remaining games as a platform heading into the offseason. Reliever Luke Murphy has made five straight scoreless appearances covering six innings since his recall, allowing just two runs overall in nine outings. Murphy, who led all minor leaguers with 18 saves and a 0.71 ERA before his call-up, said he is ready for whatever opportunities arise.
Tuesday’s matchup features Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams (12-7, 3.72 ERA) against Angels right-hander Walbert Ureña (8-9, 2.80 ERA) at 6:38 p.m.
Adell’s return closed one chapter while opening another. He leaves Anaheim having developed into a power-hitting contributor now helping a contender, with two more chances this week to face his former club.