Mike Trout, Center Field, Los Angeles Angels, #27
Date of Birth: 8/7/1991
Birthplace: Vineland, New Jersey
Nicknames: Millville Meteor, Prince Fish, God's Gift, King Fish 2.0
Mike Trout, young center fielder for the Los Angeles Angels, started in high school as a pitcher and shortstop but he moved to the outfield in his senior year. He was drafted by the Angels in 2009 and spent a year and a half in the minors before being called up to play with Los Angeles in July, 2011. That August, he spent two weeks in the minors, playing in just 40 games with the Angels in 2011.
Trout had a sensational first full season with the Angels in 2012, batting .326, with 182 hits, 27 doubles, 30 home runs, and 49 stolen bases. That season he won the AL Rookie of the Year award and a Silver Slugger award. Having speed in addition to power, Trout led the American League in stolen bases in 2012.
In 2013, Trout again had a strong season, batting .323, with 190 hits, 39 doubles, 27 home runs, and 97 RBIs in 157 games. He won his second Silver Slugger award and he led the American League in runs scored and walks. On May 21, 2013, Trout became the youngest player in the history of the American League to hit for the cycle.
In February, 2014, Trout and the Angels agreed on a one-year, one million dollar contract for 2014. The following month, he signed a six-year, $144.5 million contract extension that includes a no-trade clause and no option years. His new contract will keep Trout with the Angels through 2020.
Trout earned his high salary in 2014, leading the American League in RBIs and winning the AL MVP award and his third consecutive Silver Slugger award. He also won the All-Star Game MVP award, becoming only the second player in MLB history to win both the All-Star MVP and the AL MVP awards in the same year (Cal Ripken, Jr. did it in 1991). He finished the 2014 season with 173 hits, 39 doubles, 36 home runs, 111 RBIs, and a .287 batting average in 157 games. He didn't play well, however, in the postseason, batting just .083 with 1 home run (his only hit) in 12 at-bats in 3 games.
Trout had another outstanding season in 2015. In 159 games, he batted .299 with 172 hits, 32 doubles, 41 home runs, and 90 RBIs. Defensively, in center field, he made no errors in 156 games. On April 17th, he became the youngest player in MLB history to have both 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases. He won his fourth Silver Slugger award in 2015.
Trout had a lead off home run in the 2015 All Star Game. For the second consecutive season, he was voted the game's MVP, becoming the first player in MLB history to win the award two years in a row.
Trout finished the 2016 season with a .315 batting average in 159 games. He had 173 hits, 32 doubles, 29 home runs, 30 stolen bases, and 100 RBIs. Defensively, as the Angels' center fielder, he made 360 putouts and 4 errors in 148 games.
Trout won his fifth consecutive Silver Slugger award in 2016. He won his second AL MVP award on November 17, 2016.
Trout spent time on the DL in 2017, playing in just 114 games. He finished the season with a .306 batting average, 123 hits, 25 doubles, 33 home runs, and 72 RBIs. He walked 94 times and struck out 90 times. Defensively, as the Angels' center fielder, he made 253 putouts and 1 error in 108 games. He had a .996 fielding percentage.
Trout had another outstanding year in 2018, finishing with a .312 batting average in 140 games. He had 147 hits, 24 doubles, 39 home runs, 79 RBIs, and 124 strikeouts to 122 walks. He also had a career high OPS of 1.088. Defensively, as the Angels' center fielder in 125 games, he made 271 putouts and no errors.
Trout and the Angels agreed to a record 12-year contract worth over $400 million on March 20, 2019. Trout had another strong season in 2019, finishing with 137 hits, 27 doubles, 45 home runs, 104 RBIs, 120 strikeouts to 110 walks, and a .291 batting average in 134 games. As a center fielder in 122 games, he made 294 putouts and 4 errors. He spent time on the DL in September with a foot injury and foot surgery.
Trout won his seventh Silver Slugger award in 2019. He also won the Hank Aaron award.
Trout won his eighth Silver Slugger award in 2020. He played in 53 games and he finished the season with 56 hits, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 17 home runs, 46 RBIs, 56 strikeouts to 35 walks, and a .281 batting average. Defensively, he was the Angels' center fielder in 52 games.
Trout spent time on the IL in 2021 with a right calf strain. He played in just 36 games and he batted .333 with 39 hits.
Career batting statistics for Trout through 2021 include:
- 1,288 games played
- 1,419 hits
- 268 doubles
- 310 home runs
- 816 RBIs
- 203 stolen bases
- 1,215 strikeouts to 865 walks
- .305 batting average
Career fielding statistics for Trout as a center fielder through 2021 include:
- 1,130 games played
- 2,738 putouts
- 16 errors
- .994 fielding percentage
Personal Life
In 2012, Trout became a partner and investor in Body Armor SuperDrink.
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Mike Trout
ESPN Sports - Mike Trout