Adell Achieves Historic Three Home Run Robberies in Angels' 1-0 Victory

Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jo Adell recorded three home run robberies during a 1-0 victory against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night in Anaheim, California. The defensive performance contributed to the Angels' win and is believed to be the first instance of a player achieving three such catches in a single Major League Baseball game.

Game Overview

The Angels secured a narrow 1-0 victory over the Mariners on Saturday night. Jo Adell's three spectacular defensive plays in right field were instrumental, preventing potential runs and directly impacting the final score.

Key Defensive Plays

Adell's three home run robberies occurred at critical moments throughout the game, each denying the Mariners a crucial run:

• First Inning: Adell leaped above the wall in right field to deny Cal Raleigh of the Mariners a solo home run. This impressive play occurred on only the second batter of the game.
• Eighth Inning: Adell made a similar, crucial catch against Josh Naylor, preventing what would have been a potential game-tying home run.
• Ninth Inning: Adell raced to the right-field corner, leaped to catch a drive from J.P. Crawford, flipping over a low wall and falling into the first row of seats. This dramatic play denied a potential run for the Mariners and was upheld after a replay review. Adell confirmed he maintained possession of the ball throughout the play.

Adell described the plays as involving quick decision-making. He noted his routes were accurate for the first two catches, with the third requiring "grit." He also stated the landing in the stands was "softer than I expected."

Historical Context and Statistics

The three home run robberies by Adell in a single game are believed to mark a historic achievement, as it is reportedly the first time a player has recorded three such catches in one Major League Baseball contest.

According to Inside Edge data:

• The most home run robberies by a single player in the entire 2025 season was four, a mark achieved by both Jacob Young and Fernando Tatis. Adell's extraordinary performance nearly matched this season-long total in just one game.
• Adell has now accumulated 10 home run robberies since 2020, tying him with Kyle Tucker for the most in Major League Baseball during that period.

Player and Coaching Commentary

Mariners player Cal Raleigh commented on the rarity of Adell's defensive showcase:

"I had not previously witnessed a player rob two or three home runs in one game."

Torii Hunter, a special assistant with the Angels and a nine-time Gold Glove Award winner, lauded Adell's performance:

"Probably the greatest defensive game I’ve ever seen."
Hunter specifically noted the rarity and difficulty of the final catch, which involved a player falling into the stands.

Adell reflected on his journey of defensive improvement:

"Defense was something that I struggled with. Just finding ways to improve and get better and find a way to learn. At the end of the day, defense is one of those things where it's just about trying to get the job done."
He also credited Hunter's influence, noting, "His impact has been huge. It’s mental when you’re out there — it’s a mindset of going to get the baseball, being aggressive."

Defensive Development

Adell's defensive performance represents a significant development in his career. Upon his major league debut in 2020, he was recorded with a minus-4 Outs Above Average in 38 games, indicating early defensive struggles. He has since improved considerably, becoming a Gold Glove finalist in 2024.

Torii Hunter has played a key role in mentoring Adell on defensive skills over recent years, focusing on cultivating an aggressive and proactive approach to fielding.