As most know, Jo Adell graduated from Ballard HS with plans to attend UL on a baseball scholarship, before being drafted in the first round by the Angels. One of my good friends is a MLB scout; he told me that he thought coming out of HS, that Adell might be the most talented baseball player to come out of KY in his life time ....... he was then, and he remains as a very special baseball player.
When UL fans question how so many of these current UL players have struggled at the plate; just follow Adell‘s young Triple “A” career for evidence of just how difficult it is to obtain consistency making contact. I watched Trey Leonard go from close to .400 average earlier this year, only to find himself unable to make contact with the ball and drop his average below .300. Just watch his head and eyes when swinging lately ........they remain fixed on the pitcher and beyond; not following the ball. Jo Adell is hitting HRs at an impressive clip, but his strike out average exceeds his hitting average. The Angels love Jo, and have super high expectation for him, but he remains in Triple A as they continue to work on his fundamentals at the plate. His fielding is MLB level extraordinaire.
UL’s hitting coach needs to spend a lot more time working with these kids on their fundamentals, particularly with keeping their head and eyes on the ball after it leaves the pitcher’s hand. So many are fixing their eyes on the fence.
When UL fans question how so many of these current UL players have struggled at the plate; just follow Adell‘s young Triple “A” career for evidence of just how difficult it is to obtain consistency making contact. I watched Trey Leonard go from close to .400 average earlier this year, only to find himself unable to make contact with the ball and drop his average below .300. Just watch his head and eyes when swinging lately ........they remain fixed on the pitcher and beyond; not following the ball. Jo Adell is hitting HRs at an impressive clip, but his strike out average exceeds his hitting average. The Angels love Jo, and have super high expectation for him, but he remains in Triple A as they continue to work on his fundamentals at the plate. His fielding is MLB level extraordinaire.
UL’s hitting coach needs to spend a lot more time working with these kids on their fundamentals, particularly with keeping their head and eyes on the ball after it leaves the pitcher’s hand. So many are fixing their eyes on the fence.