OC Register: Jo Adell making an impression as he rises quickly in the Angels’ system

[AngelsWin.com]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. —  A day after Jo Adell hit a home run in his Double-A debut, Angels manager Mike Scioscia was asked whether the organization’s top prospect was “on the radar” of the major league staff yet.

Scioscia indicated it’s a little early for that, but that Adell has nonetheless made a strong impression. Adell, 19, has hit .303 with 19 homers at three levels of the Angels’ system this season, his first full year as a pro.

“Everyone is excited with Jo and where he is,” Scioscia said Wednesday. “Just the growth we’ve seen from a teenager in a couple years is incredible. His athleticism is off the charts. He doing some great things on the field.”

Adell is actually ahead of the pace set by Mike Trout when he began his minor league career. Trout did not play at Double-A until the start of his second full season. He wasn’t there for long, though. Trout reached the majors in the middle of that season.

TROPEANO’S TROUBLE

Nick Tropeano had not allowed a run through his first three innings on Wednesday night, but he gave up three runs in the fourth, an inning that started with him hitting a batter.

“I think the issue this season, and especially today, has been the big inning,” Tropeano said. “It’s been haunting me throughout this year and today especially. That stems from free passes.”

Tropeano walked four on Wednesday. For the season, he’s walked 30 in 71 innings, with a 4.94 ERA.

“I have to get my mechanics more clean and let my stuff eat over the plate,” Tropeano said. “Just trust my stuff.”

ALSO

Albert Pujols hit another hard shot down the left field line for a single in four trips to the plate. Pujols has hits in nine of his last 10 games, and he’s hitting .303 since July 1. “If you look at where he was the 30-40 at-bats before the All-Star break, you could start to see some things coming and he’s continued that,” Scioscia said. …

Trout drew his 99th walk. With his next one, he’ll become the fourth player ever to have three seasons with at least 100 walks, 25 homers and 20 stolen bases. Barry Bonds, Bobby Abreu and Jeff Bagwell also did it at least three times. …

A group of Angels players took a trip out to the ray tank at Tropicana Field before Wednesday’s game. …

Jordyn Adams and Jeremiah Jackson, the Angels’ top two picks in the 2018 draft, have been promoted from the Arizona League to Orem (Utah) of the Pioneer League. Adams hit .243 with a .354 on-base percentage in Arizona. Jackson hit .317 with five homers and a .971 OPS in Arizona.

UP NEXT

Angels (LHP Andrew Heaney, 6-6, 3.64) at Rays (RHP Hunter Wood, 0-0, 3.38), Thursday, 10 a.m., Fox Sports West, KLAA (830 AM)

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