Joe Maddon excited for future of Jordyn Adams

Jordyn Adams was selected by the Angels in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft. He’s currently not on the 40-man roster, but manager Joe Maddon is excited to see how Adams continues to develop.

“He’s an interesting man that I think is going to play well in the major-leagues,” Maddon said to the media on Monday morning.

Adams has struggled at the plate through the spring, as he’s currently 0-for-7 at the plate with one walk. Throughout his minor-league career, Adams hasn’t really excelled in the box, as he’s hitting .259 over 138 career games in the minors. Maddon knows the bat isn’t necessarily there now, but he’s not too concerned about it.

“The last thing that’s going to show up is his hitting,” he said. “When he catches it right, he’s very strong. I think he’s going to be a really good defender. I never realized how strong his arm is. He’s got a really good arm. He’s a perfect example of just being patient. The rest of his game is going to play really well.”

Maddon went on to add that Adams is the perfect player to have in the minors for young coaches. He’s willing to learn, and is always open to discussions about his game.

Adams has spent every game in the minors in the outfield, with majority of the games coming in center field. The Angels have a pretty crowded outfield this season, so it’s unlikely Adams will be able to find a spot on the roster. However, the potential and excitement is there with Maddon, who thinks this will be a player that will be helping the club very soon.

Angels news

• Shohei Ohtani is hitting third, between Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon. When asked if we could see that lineup during the season, Maddon said it’s unlikely as he wants Rendon to hit behind Trout.
• Speaking of Ohtani, he’s scheduled to pitch next on Saturday. He’ll throw 3-4 innings, but Maddon is not sure if it will be in a ‘B’ game or the main one against the White Sox.

Today’s game

First pitch: 12:05 p.m. PT

TV: Fox Sports West