Angels call up Adell for big league debut

There will be a new Angel in the outfield.

The Angels on Tuesday called up No. 6 overall prospect Jo Adell to make his Major League debut. Manager Joe Maddon told reporters that the club's top prospect would bat seventh against the Mariners in Seattle.

The Halos optioned outfielder Michael Hermosillo and first baseman Jared Walsh to their alternate-site roster on Monday, leaving 30-man spots open for Adell's promotion. He also was added to the club's 40-man roster, with right-hander Cam Bedrosian going on the 10-day Injured List with a right adductor strain.

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— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 5, 2020

Only White Sox wunderkind Luis Robert is considered to be a better outfield prospect than Adell among the current crop of young talent, according to MLB Pipeline's rankings.

The 21-year-old outfielder is known for his plus-plus power potential and he also shows plus run, arm and fielding tools. Adell's hitting from the right side is more average, but even that could grow to be a plus in time. He has played primarily center field during his three-year Minor League career but has experience at all three outfield positions and is likely ticketed for right long term given the presence of Mike Trout up the middle.

With Trout returning from paternity leave, Adell will compete with Brian Goodwin for time at the position. That competition has gotten a little tougher since Goodwin is off to a strong start with a .333/.412/.667 line through eight games.

Adell -- the 10th overall pick in the 2017 Draft -- has backed up the scouting reports with strong numbers at most every stop he's made in the Angels system. He missed April and most of May last season after suffering multiple leg injuries during Cactus League play but rebounded to hit .289/.359/.475 with 10 homers and seven stolen bases in 76 games across the top three levels of the Minors.

The Louisville native reached Triple-A Salt Lake on Aug. 1, and while his numbers there weren't as sparkling as they were at Class A Advanced Inland Empire or Double-A Mobile, his overall talent and proximity to the Majors made an early 2020 debut likely, even under normal circumstances. With no Minor League season being played this year, the Angels decided to bring up their top prospect from their alternate site at Long Beach State University to get him more meaningful at-bats with the big club.

The Angels are off to a 3-7 start and are in last place in the American League West, three games behind the first-place A's.