Jo Adell and Taylor Ward on the Brink of a Legendary Home Run Milestone for Angels—A First in Over a Decade!

The Los Angeles Angels may be out of playoff contention this August, but Jo Adell is giving fans something thrilling to watch. Even in Tuesday’s 6-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, Adell stole the spotlight by launching two solo home runs, bringing his season total to 28. This surge places him just shy of a rare milestone — a feat not seen from Angels teammates (other than Mike Trout or Shohei Ohtani) in over a decade.

Adell’s performance was a showcase of raw power and clutch hitting. His first home run, a towering 452-foot blast to center field in the 7th inning, energized the home crowd at Angel Stadium and reminded everyone of his immense potential. But it was the 8th-inning game-tying homer to left field, leaving the bat at an astonishing 115.3 mph, that truly underscored the elite power he’s brought to the Angels’ lineup this year. These two moments captured a player coming into his own and signaling that he may soon become a foundational piece for the franchise.

The significance of Adell’s home run pace becomes even clearer when viewed alongside teammate Taylor Ward, who currently leads Adell with 29 homers this season. Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times highlighted the rarity of this duo approaching 30 home runs each — a milestone Angels hitters haven’t reached together since 2012. That year featured power hitters like Mark Trumbo, who slugged 32 homers, and Albert Pujols with 30. With Trout and Ohtani sidelined from this comparison, it puts Adell and Ward’s achievement in a fresh spotlight, suggesting a new era of power hitting could be emerging.

Despite the Angels’ struggles — sitting at 60-66 and trailing the AL West leaders by nine games — performances like these offer a beacon of hope amid what has been a transitional rebuilding season. Taylor Ward has consistently been a bright spot, already surpassing multiple career highs with his 2025 performance. Meanwhile, Adell’s breakout campaign after years of flashes and inconsistency shows he’s starting to deliver on his early promise.

Statistically, through 119 games, Adell’s .233 batting average might not jump off the page, but his 28 home runs, 78 RBIs, and 95 hits tell a story of growing power and improved plate discipline. Meanwhile, Ward’s .237 average with 29 homers, 92 RBIs, and 111 hits across 124 games highlights his role as a dependable veteran presence who continues to carry much of the offensive load. Together, they form a powerful core that could lay the foundation for the Angels’ future.

While the current season may not bring postseason glory, the rise of homegrown talent like Jo Adell and Taylor Ward offers fans a promising glimpse into what the future holds. Their chase for home run milestones isn’t just about numbers — it’s about the excitement and hope they bring to a team looking to rebuild and return to contention. For Angels fans, that’s a victory worth celebrating.