Mike Trout

I did not take the time this year to post on Mike Trout, partially because I was pulling hard against his team.  But I can't pass up talking about this massive new talent now that the season is over.

Mike Trout was born in 1991.  He turned 21 years old late in the season.  He is 6-1 and 210 lbs and a natural center fielder.  His array of skills is hard to comprehend.  Maybe even more so than Josh Hamilton and Matt Kemp, who are larger, Trout is blessed with as much natural talent as you are ever likely to see.  In over 1,100 at-bats in the minors, he hit .342 with a .425 OB%.

After spending most of April in the minors, Trout ultimately played 139 games in 2012.  In that time he led the league in both runs with 129 and stolen bases with 49 (caught just 5 times).  It seems that he may be the fastest player in the league.  To go along with those categories, he also finished 2nd in the league in BA at .326, had 30 homers and 8 triples, drove in 83 runs from the leadoff spot, had a .399 OB% and .564 S%.  All this as a 20/21 year old rookie.

As impressed as we usually are with athletes who are linebacker-size, Trout comes in at safety-size which allows him to use his speed on the bases better, while maintaining extra-base power.  How exciting is it to think of a natural centerfielder and highlight-reel fielder who may be the fastest player in the league, who also has a good eye at the plate and has 40-homer power?  Not to mention a reckless abandon attitude who plays like Pete Rose.

Unfortunate the he plays for the Angels who I can never pull for, but I have to be excited to see a talent of this magnitude added to baseball.  Maybe this is our Mantle?

S