Something I didn’t mention the other day in my Luis Robert fantasy when I was going on about how Luis Robert was my number one fantasy baseball prospect for 2020 is how close Jo Adell was to him. I don’t remember two prospects being as close any other year. Sure, last year Vlad Jr. and Eloy were 1A and 1B, but I felt like 1A was way over 1B even though 1B ended up above 1A at the end of the year. I’m talking perspective more than reality, and hindsight is 20/20, but that doesn’t apply simply because we’re talking about 2020. I’ve just confused myself, tee bee aitch. Maybe Adell can squeeze out Lou Bob this year like Eloy squeezed out Vlad Jr. last year, but my money’s on Robert, though my money is currently tied up in Beanie Babies. Anyway, what can we expect from Jo Adell for 2020 fantasy baseball?
Jo Adell is a Rorschach test for fantasy baseball prospects. I can look at him and see a number one hitter — 40 homers, 15 steals and a .290 average. I can also look at him and see a 33% strikeout rate, speed that he doesn’t use for steals and the miserable to hit in Los Angeles But Not Los Angeles Angels Stadium. Of course, none of this means Adell can’t be great, superb, glowing adjective long-term, I’m talking about 2020. Okay, let’s do one of my patented GIFs that I just steal from someone else’s source.
By the by, gotta love that title. “Jo Adell Homers” is almost as poetic as “Donna Martin Graduates” or “Grandma Poops Herself.” Blessed is us whose title spawn such fruit. *sign of the cross* Any hoo! I pulled this clip, because all his other clips I saw were of him striking out. Plus, I have a deal with Forefront Dermatology. “Sorry, about your bacne, maybe we can refer you elsewhere.” I also grabbed a home run clip because I was watching tape of him (I sound so scouty) and I wasn’t sure if he had the bazingas to go mondo loco into center. He does though. Obviously. I also wondered about him going oppo taco and not just on Taco Tuesday, but I found a clip of that too, just didn’t share it because I didn’t feel like making another GIF (it takes, like, 90 seconds and who has that sorta time). His stats last year in Triple-A: 22/0/8/1/.264 in 27 games with a 32.6% strikeout rate and a 7.6% walk rate, which is beautiful if you have an eye problem and can’t recognize beautiful from not beautiful. Of course, 27 rando games in Triple-A don’t make him a bust. He was fine in Double-A last year — 28/8/23/.308/6 in 43 games — and I think he can be fine in the majors too. As previously mentioned in the opening salvo, I do think Robert is more enticing for 2020 and Adell looks more like a 30/15/.280 guy vs. Robert’s potential 30/30/.250, but that’s splitting hairs and I use conditioner so no split ends, and that’s me laying down the natch! As for Adell’s arrival in the chalky white environs of Anaheim? Anywhere from April until June. It might come down to how much new manager Joe Maddon wants him there or how wonky Adell looks in the spring with Ks. Realistically, I’m guessing June 1st, but it could be mid-April. For 2020, I’ll give Adell the statline of 45/14/52/.257/7 in 387 ABs, which I imagine is going to be less idealistic as some.
