Manager Ron Washington liked what he saw from Adams and called it a glimpse of his potential. But he said Adams needs to continue to learn to play free and get more comfortable at the big league level.
“I watched him in BP, and that's the way he was swinging the bat,” Washington said. “So I guess that's what he has inside of him. The kid is strong, and I just hope he lets it come out and quits holding it in.
Adams, 24, is looking to put himself on the radar heading into next year, as he should get plenty of opportunities down the stretch. Right fielder Jo Adell is out for the season with a strained oblique, while center fielder Bryce Teodosio is dealing with a minor fracture on his right middle finger that is expected to keep him out for a few days. Veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar is also out with a left thumb sprain and has yet to progress to baseball activities.
Adams, the No. 17 overall pick in the 2018 Draft, was called up Saturday with Pillar placed on the 10-day injured list after he hit .261/.333/.386 with 10 homers, 22 doubles, four triples, 28 stolen bases and 58 RBIs in 123 games with Triple-A Salt Lake. He also had a stint with the Angels last year, playing in 17 games in August and September and batting .128 (5-for-39) with no extra-base hits. But he’s been better recently, going 3-for-10 with two RBIs since his callup.
“I’m a lot more comfortable,” Adams said. “With the guys on the team and the coaches, it’s a different vibe. I can really feel it.”
Adams’ homer was his first extra-base hit in the Majors, and he believes power can be a part of his game in addition to his speed. But he’ll need to cut down on his strikeouts, as he struck out twice on Wednesday and has struck out in 40 percent of his career plate appearances. He also struck out in 27 percent of his plate appearances in Triple-A this year, with 148 strikeouts in 123 games.
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