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.
Josh Hamilton, right fielder for the Los Angeles Angels, was a star player in high school, with a batting average of .529. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 1999 and he spent his first two years with them in their minor league teams. From 2001 through 2005, Hamilton's career was put on hold as he dealt with drug and alcohol addictions and rehabilitation efforts.
Erick Aybar, shortstop for the Los Angeles Angels, is the younger brother of Willy Aybar, former player for the Tampa Bay Rays. The younger Aybar was signed by the Angels in 2002 and he had his first appearance with them in 2006, playing in 34 games with the Angels. It took several years, however, before Aybar became a regular player, playing in just 79 games in 2007 and 98 games in 2008.
Albert Pujols, all star first baseman and designated hitter for the Los Angeles Angels, was first signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1999 for $70,000. It took only two years for Pujols to make it to major league play, starting his active career with the Cardinals in 2001. In his rookie year with St. Louis, Pujols batted .329 with 37 home runs and 130 RBIs. Pujols became a free agent in 2012 and after 11 successful years with the Cardinals (2001-2011), he signed a lucrative 10 year, $254 million contract with the Angels.
Mike Scioscia, long-time manager of the Los Angeles Angels, had a successful and long career as a major league catcher from 1980 through 1992. He played the entire time for the Los Angeles Dodgers, although he was with the San Diego Padres in 1993 and the Texas Rangers in 1994. However, he was sidelined by injuries both of those years and he never played for either team.