Can Angels' Jo Adell Break Through in 2026?

After inconsistent seasons, the young outfielder looks to finally unlock his potential.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:10am

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After several up-and-down campaigns, Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell enters the 2026 season still searching for that long-awaited breakout year. The tools have always been there, but the results haven't consistently followed. Projection models see a similar season ahead, but the Angels are hoping Adell can take a leap forward and become a more reliable power bat in their lineup.

Why it matters

Adell was once considered one of the top prospects in baseball, but he's struggled to translate his immense raw talent into sustained major league production. A breakout 2026 could cement him as a core piece of the Angels' future, while another inconsistent season would raise more questions about his long-term outlook.

The details

Adell's biggest obstacle has been finding consistency at the plate. He's shown flashes of his potential, like a scorching June 2025 where he tied for the league lead in home runs. But he's also dealt with injuries and struggles, including missing time last year due to vertigo. The 24-year-old's swing-and-miss issues have limited his overall offensive output so far in his career.

  • Adell is entering his fourth full MLB season in 2026.
  • He hit 28 home runs in 532 plate appearances last year, according to Baseball-Reference projections.
  • FanGraphs projects Adell to have 30 home runs and 575 plate appearances in 2026.

The players

Jo Adell

A 24-year-old outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels who was once considered one of baseball's top prospects, but has yet to fully break through at the major league level.

Los Angeles Angels

The MLB team that Adell plays for, based in Anaheim, California.

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What they’re saying

“There are some areas where I believe Jo Adell could out perform both Baseball-Reference and FanGraphs projections. Adell has elite bat speed with very good barrel percentage and with that I think he will have more home runs than what is being projected, I think he'll have 35 home runs this year.”

— Angels On SI, Analyst

What’s next

The Angels and their fans will be closely monitoring Adell's progress throughout the 2026 season, hoping he can finally put it all together and become a consistent middle-of-the-order threat.

The takeaway

Adell's development has been a rollercoaster so far, but 2026 represents a critical juncture in his career. If he can harness his immense tools and produce at a high level for a full season, it could be a turning point that establishes him as a core piece of the Angels' future. However, another inconsistent campaign would raise more questions about his long-term outlook.