Saturday 7 July 2012

Mike Trout - The true rookie phenom

This was always going to be an exciting season for rookies. With Matt Moore scheduled to enter a big league rotation for the first time, and the seemingly imminent call-ups of talented outfielders Bryce Harper and Mike Trout, it was set to be a fascinating season as the elite of the future got their first taste of every day action. For two players - Moore and Trout, it wasn't to be their first trips to the bigs. Moore was called up to the Rays in September last season, and was simply dazzling. In his first Major League start he struck out 11 Yankees, leaving Rays fans drooling for more. He gave them what they wanted, with an excellent start in the ALDS against the Rangers, earning himself a postseason victory with 7 scoreless innings. For Mike Trout, the first taste of big league action wasn't so impressive. In 40 games he hit just .220, with 5 homers and 4 steals. An inauspicious start to his big league career.

However, that didn't quell the excitement and buzz brewing around the Angels camp during Spring Training. That excitement was dampened when Trout spent most of Spring in bed - ill with a nasty virus. He started the season at AAA and that's where his unbelievable rise to stardom began. He played 20 games, hitting .403 with 6 steals and a homer. Meanwhile, the Angels were slumping, with a losing record and players like Vernon Wells and Bobby Abreu were drawing criticism from all sides. Albert Pujols was slumping, and the lineup was missing a spark. Enter Mike Trout. In 62 games, with 250 at bats, Trout has slugged with a .347 average (best in AL), 55 runs (8th in AL), 11 homers (3rd best on Angels), 39 RBI and 26 steals (no.1 in AL). He's also 6th in slugging and 4th in OPS. Quite simply, he is putting together the kind of stats you dream of. Oh - and in case you forgot he is 20 years old. He can't legally drink but he is on course for a batting title, ROTY and MVP award. Bryce who?

Not only that, but in Trout's first 62 games, the Angels have gone 38-24. Before Trout's call up they were slumping at the plate, staring an underachieving season down the barrel. Now, they're poised to make a second half surge for the postseason, and no-one has made as much of an impression as Mike Trout. Not only that, but he does it all with a smile on his face and a clear passion for the game. After his unbelievable home-run robbing catch the reaction was almost as good - first shock, then ecstasy then disbelief. I hope the second half of the season is as good as the first half was for Trout - because if it is - watch out.