Former first-round pick giving Angels hope amid another disappointing season

Now in his sixth season with the Los Angeles Angels, outfielder Jo Adell is finally beginning to deliver on the potential that made him one of baseball’s most highly touted prospects. In a season where bright spots have been few and far between for the Halos, Adell’s power surge has been a welcome surprise — and a much-needed one.

Through the course of the 2025 season, Adell has launched an impressive 31 home runs while trimming his strikeout rate to 26%, down from 27.9% last year. It’s a modest improvement on paper, but a meaningful sign of development for a player who has long been dogged by swing-and-miss concerns. More importantly, his overall value has finally reflected his raw talent, as evidenced by his 1.0 WAR — a turnaround from previous years spent in the negatives.

Adell’s rise couldn’t have come at a better time. With Mike Trout clearly entering the twilight of his legendary career and Anthony Rendon continuing to collect millions while contributing nothing on the field, the Angels have been desperate for a new offensive spark. Alongside Taylor Ward, Adell has helped form a potent power-hitting duo that’s been one of the few consistent sources of production in an otherwise sputtering lineup.

No, Adell doesn’t hit for average. But in the context of a broken machine, he’s become a functioning — and increasingly essential — cog. His ability to change games with one swing has brought a jolt of energy to a team that badly needed it.

However, the Angels’ issues run far deeper than the lineup. Once again, the pitching staff has ranked among the league’s worst — plagued by underperformance and injuries alike. Key arms like Ben Joyce and Robert Stephenson have missed extended time, leaving the staff thin and overexposed.

But pitching isn’t the only problem. Organizational instability and questionable ownership decisions continue to plague the franchise. The Angels haven’t developed a true homegrown star since Trout, a far cry from the days when names like John Lackey and Jered Weaver anchored the roster. The lack of infrastructure to nurture young talent remains a glaring issue.

Still, in a year largely marked by disappointment, Adell has emerged as a rare silver lining. His power, presence and promise have not only reinvigorated his career but given fans a reason — however small — to keep watching.