Jo Adell’s defense could end up being X-factor in Guardians’ race toward the postseason 

On Tuesday night, it seemed like everyone on the White Sox offense was trying their hardest to hit the ball to Jo Adell. 

In the first inning, Randal Grichuk muscled a bloop single to right field that glanced off Adell’s glove. In the fifth inning, Chase Meidroth laced a two run double that went over Adell’s head that led to the White Sox scoring their second run. 

But Adell got some revenge in the eighth inning when he made back-to-back nice catches to rob Meidroth and Grichuk of hits to set up Brayan Rocchio’s walk-off hit. 

Although so much of Adell’s value is derived from what he’s able to do at the plate (28 RBI since joining Guardians), his defense could end up being the part of his game that will have the most impact on Cleveland’s postseason race. 

While Jo Adell’s bat is a big part of the Guardians’ lineup, his defense may be just as important 

Adell’s graded out a negative defender for the entirety of his time with the Angels, and he’s been a bit better for the Guardians. He entered play on Wednesday being worth -2 Defensive Runs Saved during his time in Cleveland, though he’s been league average in right field. 

That may not be the most exciting thing in the world, but it’s more than enough considering he’s done exactly what the Guardians have needed at the plate. 

The good news is that it should only get better next season thanks to Adell having a full spring training working with Guardians outfield coach JT Maguire. 

His tutelage has already been noticeable thanks to Adell’s slight uptick in defensive numbers since joining the Guardians, so it’s fun to imagine how much better he could be next year after a full offseason of tinkering (so long as the impending lockout doesn’t wipe it away). 

The good news for the Guardians is they have a built-in safety valve via the designated hitter spot. While only nine of his 39 appearances with Clevleand have come as a DH, the Guardians have the ability to cycle him and Chase DeLatuter between DH and right field. 

DeLauter’s injury has changed that dynamic as of late, but there’s no shot the Guardians would open the postseason with a lineup that doesn’t have both of them in it. 

The Guardians also have the ability to flank their DeLauter/Adell partnership with Kwan in left and plus-defender Steven Kwan in center. 

Adell may never win a Gold Glove, but his serviceable defense shouldn’t hurt the Guardians too much this fall.

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