What Does the Angels' Aaron Hicks Signing Mean for Former Top Prospect Jo Adell?

The 24-year-old outfielder hasn't locked down a spot on the outfield depth chart.

The Los Angeles Angels signed veteran outfielder Aaron Hicks to a major league deal on Monday. The Angels wanted to add some depth to their outfield, and they got it with the 34-year-old veteran.

It's a low-risk signing for the Halos, and he has the opportunity to play in a lot of games due to the fragility of the Angels outfield. However, this signing does bring up an important question for the Angels: What will happen with former top prospect, outfielder Jo Adell.

Adell has been with the Halos' organization since they drafted him with the 10th overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. Over those years, he was the No. 1 prospect for the Halos, and he played like it in High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. 

However, he's now been with the organization for seven years and made his MLB debut in the 2020 shortened season. That was four years ago, and he has yet to become a common fixture in the outfield for the Halos in the big leagues. 

He's only played in 178 games in the span of four seasons, and in the big leagues, he's been pedestrian, slashing .214/.259/.366 with a .625 OPS, 18 home runs, and 66 RBIs. He has yet to stand out in the major leagues — but in his defense, his opportunities have been spotty and inconsistent. 

Nonetheless, 178 games is a big enough sample size, and it may be time for a change of scenery. Adell is only 24 years old, and the Halos could get something of value back for him because of his age and potential. 

The numbers certainly don't reveal that, but it's all about opportunity and fit. If he can get the opportunity, he may have the chance to show why he was a top prospect in this league. 

Adell is out of minor league options this year, so if the Angels wanted to send him to Triple-A, they would have to place him on waivers — and a team would undoubtedly take a chance on him.

So, unless the Angels plan on Adell making the Opening Day roster as a fifth outfielder, it may be time for them to find a trading partner for the young outfielder.