Former Salt Lake Bee is making waves in the MLB
TEMPE, Ariz.– Beloved former Salt Lake Bees player Jo Adell has been called up to the big leagues to start at center field for the Los Angeles Angels.
The Bees are one of the Angels’ affiliate teams, along with fives across the United States and Dominican Republic. Adell played for the Bees from part-way through the 2019 season until 2023, where he averaged a .266/.342/.530 and holds the franchise record of six consecutive games with a home run.
“When he was with us, it was electric. He hit the farthest home run in StatCast history," said Bees’ manager Keith Johnson. " It was a lot of fun to have him in our lineup, but everything we do with these guys is to get them prepared to contribute at the Major League level and win some ball games.”
In July 2023, Adell was called up to the Angels, where he’s since been working his way up to the starting right field position for the 2024 season where he, Mike Trout and Taylor Ward cover the outfield.
Moving into the 2025 season though, the Angels made a move that sent shockwaves through the MLB, longtime center fielder Mike Trout was moved to right field after 13 seasons.
The 11-time All-Star and future Hall-of-Famer was moved in a strategic step to keep him healthy longer, according to manager Ron Washington.
After a promising first season playing right field for the Angels, Adell was signed to a one-year $2.1 million deal and moved to center.
Adell hasn’t quite claimed his starting spot though. Mickey Moniak, who also played with the Bees, is also competing for the starting center field spot.
“I think we’ll just see," Washington said. "We know both of them can play it. And we’re going to get a really good look at Adell down here this spring,”
In Wednesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds, Adell started at center, where he played the first four innings, finishing with two at-bats, and two fly-outs.
At the top of the fifth inning, Adell was replaced by Moniak who finished out the game with two at bats, and one fly out. In the end, the Angels fell to the Reds, 9-4, after three runs in the ninth inning.
“They’re gonna go out there and they’re gonna pull for one another, because at the end of the day we’re all Angels," Johnson said about Adell and Moniak competing against each other for the starting spot. "They’re gonna be rooting for each other.”