A member of the Los Angeles Angels organization crushed a 514-foot home run Tuesday night.
No, not Mike Trout. Not Shohei Ohtani, either.
Try Jo Adell, the one-time Angels first-round pick who has struggled in three stints in the majors.
Adell, playing for the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate, the Salt Lake Bees, got a 3-0 changeup and drove it to left center.
You can generally tell how far a home run is hit by watching the reaction of fans going after it. In this case, fans in the back of the seating area turned and ran off into the trees chasing the ball.
Jo Adell's 514-foot HR is the longest hit in both @MiLB and MLB this season. 😮
It's also longer than any MLB homer tracked by Statcast. pic.twitter.com/TdLs5jRIrm
— MLB (@MLB) June 21, 2023
According to Statcast, the ball traveled 514 feet, making it the second-longest home run in minor league baseball this year. Red Sox farmhand Bobby Dalbec hit a 515-foot home run in May. Statcast has never recorded an MLB home run hit that far.
As noted, Adair has struggled in three previous extended stints with the Angels, with a 71 OPS+ in 525 MLB at-bats. But he’s rocking Triple-A this season, with an MiLB-leading 20 home runs. He told MLB.com he’s got a new mindset.
“I’m seeing a lot of improvements everywhere, with all of our guys at the plate,” Adell said. “The ability to go out and be who you are, I think we talk a little too much about what the body’s doing, and not enough about what you’re thinking.”
The 24-year-old outfielder had a brief call up to the Angels in early June, and in his one game, against the Chicago Cubs, he blasted a 451-foot home run.
Jo Adell (1)
Opponent: Chicago Cubs
Pitcher: Drew Smyly
Date: 6/8/23 pic.twitter.com/JgV0wL5TPc— LAA Home Runs (@LAA_HR) June 12, 2023
If Adell keeps crushing like this, it’s inevitable he’ll earn another chance to live up to his former status as a top prospect.
Baseball fans certainly liked what they saw from Adell on that missile Tuesday, although one fan cast some doubt on that 514-foot measurement.
NOT CLOSE TO 500' BUT NICE TRY! I have seen over 1000 games in that stadium. No one knows its detentions better then me. That concrete path is 450 feet from the plate AT ITS FURTHESTB POINT! The ball hit that building which is 441' AT THE FURTHEST from the plate. Again nice try. pic.twitter.com/J6FBzRwoTK
— The King Source: All Things Sports with ADAM KING (@TheKingSource) June 21, 2023
I never understand why Angels send Jo Adell to MiLB.
— 👉🏻 Ms. Lee 👈🏻 (@BoringWolf8) June 21, 2023
Trade that man, he needs a change of scenery
— ShaunV78 (@ShaunV78) June 21, 2023
Send him to Kansas City or somewhere he would start
— Bobby D Season Back on (@HendrixB13) June 21, 2023
Is Jo Adell ever gonna put it all together at the Major League level ? Feel like he’s been around forever As prospect status
— AP⚾️🏈🏀🏒⛳️ (@AP804) June 21, 2023
If he’s able to put it all together, Jo Adell could be a monster in this league. Right now, he’s too inconsistent and both at the plate and on defence! He’s only 24, time’s on his side for now
— Obie Jean (@obie2327) June 21, 2023
[MLB.com]
