Mike Trout

[Carolina Speed]

https://rlvntnews.com/2019/05/draft-heist-of-the-century-how-mike-trout-fell-to-the-angels/
Above is an interesting article on Mike Trout and how he fell to 25th pick in the draft. At just 17 years old his scout believed he was going to be a HOFer, saying he is a combination of Mickey Mantle and Rickey Henderson, BUT BETTER than both. He is already and by all accounts according to WAR, the GOAT!
Trout has been in serious company in WAR stats, but it's starting to get real. In the past week or so he has passed HOFer's Jim Palmer, Carl Hubbell, Ryne Sandberg, Fred Clarke, Ernie Banks, Edgar Martinez, and Roberto Alomar! Men who spent their entire career earning rights to the HOF. Trout 27, is just in his 8th full season!! He should pass the likes of Al Simmons, Ivan Rodriquez, Eddie Murray, and Tony Gwynn very soon! He is currently tied with Carlton Fisk at 68.5 WAR.

 

[knightedsoldier5000]

Thank you Carolina!

Here's the list - he's passing HOFers on a daily basis!

https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/WAR_career.shtml

Rank Player (yrs, age) Wins Above Replacement Bats/Throws
101. Carlos Beltran (20) 69.6 B
102. Rick Reuschel (19) 69.5 R
103. Tim Raines+ (23) 69.4 B
Manny Ramirez (19) 69.4 R
105. Tony Gwynn+ (20) 69.2 L
106. John Smoltz+ (21) 69.0 R
107. Robinson Cano (15, 36) 68.9 L
Red Ruffing+ (22) 68.9 R
109. Al Simmons+ (20) 68.8 R
110. Eddie Murray+ (21) 68.7 B
Ivan Rodriguez+ (21) 68.7 R
Mike Trout (9, 27) 68.7 R
113. Carlton Fisk+ (24) 68.5 R
Zack Greinke (16, 35) 68.5 R
115. Edgar Martinez+ (18) 68.4 R
Jim Palmer+ (19) 68.4 R

 

[Carolina Speed]

Thank you Carolina!

Here's the list - he's passing HOFers on a daily basis!

https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/WAR_career.shtml

Rank Player (yrs, age) Wins Above Replacement Bats/Throws
101. Carlos Beltran (20) 69.6 B
102. Rick Reuschel (19) 69.5 R
103. Tim Raines+ (23) 69.4 B
Manny Ramirez (19) 69.4 R
105. Tony Gwynn+ (20) 69.2 L
106. John Smoltz+ (21) 69.0 R
107. Robinson Cano (15, 36) 68.9 L
Red Ruffing+ (22) 68.9 R
109. Al Simmons+ (20) 68.8 R
110. Eddie Murray+ (21) 68.7 B
Ivan Rodriguez+ (21) 68.7 R
Mike Trout (9, 27) 68.7 R
113. Carlton Fisk+ (24) 68.5 R
Zack Greinke (16, 35) 68.5 R
115. Edgar Martinez+ (18) 68.4 R
Jim Palmer+ (19) 68.4 R

As I posted on the MLB thread, Trout will be playing live tonight on ESPN at 7:00 against the Cardinals. You might want to tune in.
Trout has moved to the 101st position in all time WAR tied with Carlos Beltran at 69.6 at the age of 27! Beltran played for 20 years and to age 40 to acquire a 69.6 WAR.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Thank you Carolina!

Here's the list - he's passing HOFers on a daily basis!

https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/WAR_career.shtml

Rank Player (yrs, age) Wins Above Replacement Bats/Throws
101. Carlos Beltran (20) 69.6 B
102. Rick Reuschel (19) 69.5 R
103. Tim Raines+ (23) 69.4 B
Manny Ramirez (19) 69.4 R
105. Tony Gwynn+ (20) 69.2 L
106. John Smoltz+ (21) 69.0 R
107. Robinson Cano (15, 36) 68.9 L
Red Ruffing+ (22) 68.9 R
109. Al Simmons+ (20) 68.8 R
110. Eddie Murray+ (21) 68.7 B
Ivan Rodriguez+ (21) 68.7 R
Mike Trout (9, 27) 68.7 R
113. Carlton Fisk+ (24) 68.5 R
Zack Greinke (16, 35) 68.5 R
115. Edgar Martinez+ (18) 68.4 R
Jim Palmer+ (19) 68.4 R

Trout now sits inside the top 100 players of all time in terms of WAR. At just 27 years old, Mike Trout is already among the top 100 players ever!!
Here are some players he should pass before years end.
87. Derek Jeter, 72.4
89. Rafael Palmeiro, 71.9
91. Johnny Mize, 70.9
92. Alan Trammel, 70.7
95. Barry Larkin, 70.4
98. Gary Carter, 70.1
99. Mike Trout, 69.7

Trout has also passed the great Ty Cobb for all time WAR leader through age 27.
War, Age 27, Trout 69.7
Cobb, 69.2

 

[Carolina Speed]

In addition to leading the league in Homeruns, Trout now tied for the for the lead in RBI's with 63. In addition to all the other stats he leads in.
Really amazing being that he's batting second and on a mediocre team. If he were on the Dodgers, Rockies, Phillies, etc. he would be approaching 100 RBI's.
So far, a runaway lock for his third MVP!

 

[Carolina Speed]

Wow! Mike Trout two more homeruns today! He now has 28 and has extended his league lead. Also 4 more RBI's Could be the league leader there too. He should also shoot past Miguel Cabrera for second in active career WAR leaders behind only teammate Albert Pujols. He has set a new career high in homeruns before the all star break. He broke his career high two days ago with 26. Now with 28.
How much better can Trout get?
Really enjoying this once in a lifetime player!

 

[PHillisFan]

Wow! Mike Trout two more homeruns today! He now has 28 and has extended his league lead. Also 4 more RBI's Could be the league leader there too. He should also shoot past Miguel Cabrera for second in active career WAR leaders behind only teammate Albert Pujols. He has set a new career high in homeruns before the all star break. He broke his career high two days ago with 26. Now with 28.
How much better can Trout get?
Really enjoying this once in a lifetime player!

Trout is the complete package. Right now the media is salivating over afleets such as Josh Bell, Ronald Acuna and Aaron Judge. Trout should be the face of baseball right now.

 

[Charles Martel]

Mike Trout: The brilliant $426.5m MLB star most Americans don't know

https://www.bbc.com/sport/baseball/48894773

Most had never heard of Wladimir Klitschko when he was heavyweight champ. The (((media))) either disparages or ignores the best white athletes.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Each year it seems since Mike Trout has become known as the greatest baseball player on the planet and maybe the best ever, the media likes to make comparisons of new talent saying are they as good or better than Mike Trout. About 3-4 years ago it started with Jose Altuve. I remember the comparisons. Will Altuve rival Trout as MLB best player? While Altuve had an exceptional year or two back in 2015/16, he since has fallen off a little. No more talk about him and Trout. Last year it was Mookie Betts. I remember the media asking, has Betts replaced Trout as the games best player. Betts, last years MVP, did have a great year actually beat him in WAR for once!! What about the other 5 seasons Betts has been in the league when Trout has worn him and everyone else out. Now, in 2019 there's been no more talk about Betts. His WAR is 4.0, while Trout is on another level at 6.6!
However, so far in 2019 there have been more than one comparison to Trout and that there may be others as good or better than. I have counted 5. Obviously with the year Bellinger and Yelich are having they will draw comparisons. To me Yelich being the closest to Trout's game than anyone in terms of years in the league, speed and power, but it's just been over the last two seasons. Trout's been doing it ever since he arrived 8-9 years ago. Bellinger is having an MVP year, but it's just his first at 23 years old. Trout had in MVP at 22 and should've had 3 by age 24. As a matter of fact, you could argue Trout's been the MVP every year he's played!
Unbelievably, when Vlad Guerrero Jr. came up there were comparisons of him to Mike Trout. Jr. Just take a look at his rookie stats compared to Trout's. Then there's someone named Juan Soto whose been compared to Trout after Just 200 games. I even heard Ronald Acuna's name come up as the next Trout.
Sorry guys, there's no other Mike Trout coming for a while. Maybe in 25-30 years!
I'm not going to go into a long list of stats to prove a point. I'll just use the best overall stat that's being used, WAR, to prove there's no comparison of any other players I mentioned above, and Trout.

Mike Trout, Career WAR: 70.8, season '19 WAR, 6.6. 8 years/27 years old.
Mookie Betts, Career WAR:39.1, season '19 WAR, 4.0. 6 years/26 years old.
Jose Altuve, Career WAR: 36.0, season '19 WAR, 1.2. 9 years/29 years old.
Christian Yelich, Career WAR:32.4, season'19WAR, 5.9. 7 years/27 years old.
Cody Bellinger, Career WAR: 15.1, season '19WAR, 6.7. 3 years/23 years old.
Ronald Acuna, Career WAR: 7.6, season' 19 WAR, 3.5. 2 years/21 years old.
Juan Soto, Career WAR: 5.3, season '19 WAR, 2.4. 2 years/20 years old.
Guerrero JR.Career WAR: 1.0, season '19 WAR, 1.0. 1 year. 19 years old.

Trout is the all time leader in WAR, 70.8, to age 27 already, with 60 games left in the season. Ahead of the great Ty Cobb, 69.2!

As you can see, it's absurd to put any of these players in Trout's category
Trout has pretty much doubled what Betts, Altuve, and Yelich have done of the guys near his age and years of service. As for the others from Bellinger on down, it's way to early!
I guess all these wrong and early speaks to greatness you see once in a lifetime.
The fact is, there won't be another like Mike Trout.

 

[white lightning]

So true. There is and can only by the one and only Mike Trout. In my opinion already the greatest baseball player I've ever seen. Great updates Carolina Speed. Thank you.

 

[Carolina Speed]

So true. There is and can only by the one and only Mike Trout. In my opinion already the greatest baseball player I've ever seen. Great updates Carolina Speed. Thank you.

Although I don't believe in jinxes, I was starting to wonder. He was in a 13 -57 or .228 slump, but hit his league leading 35th HR today! 1-3 with a walk. He continues his assault on the all time WAR list, passing HOF Big Cat Johnny Mize last week! He has also tied Bellinger for the MLB lead in WAR, 6.8 for the season and possibly passing him as of today as Bellinger went 0-3 today.

 

[icsept]

I’m not that familiar with the WAR stat, but I’ve watched with interest as Trout passes various Hall of Fame players. I’m assuming at the tail end of most careers, even the greats start regressing with a negative WAR?

 

[Carolina Speed]

I’m not that familiar with the WAR stat, but I’ve watched with interest as Trout passes various Hall of Fame players. I’m assuming at the tail end of most careers, even the greats start regressing with a negative WAR?

Yes, WAR averages regress toward the end players careers, however, some tend to regress more than others. Just looking at the all time leader, Babe Ruth, he had a remarkable WAR 10.3 at the age of 36 and 8.3 at 37. Most players never see a double digit WAR average in a season at anytime in their careers! Ruth, I believe has the most seasons with 10 or more WAR, 9 than anyone. Ty Cobb, who I consider the greatest player of all time, only had 10 or more WAR average 3 times in his career. He had a WAR of 5.4 at age 37. Willie Mays had 5 years of 10 or more WAR, but could only muster a 6.3 at age 37.
Trout, just 27 has already had 3 years of 10 or more WAR and is on track to go over 10 again this year for a fourth season.
Walter Johnson, a pitcher, is second in all time WAR behind Ruth, had a 4.9 WAR at age 37, but had a - 0.4 at age 39.
WAR is widely considered the best way to judge the greatness of a player, however I'm not sure if WAR accounted for the dead ball era in baseball. This is why it's difficult for me to give the greatest player ever to Ruth. The homeruns give Ruth a huge advantage over Cobb, but Cobb played half or more of his career in the dead ball era. Cobb would have never hit as many as Ruth, but I believe he would have a lot more than he did. Cobb was certainly the better all round athlete than Ruth. Anyway that's a debate for another thread.
What Trout is doing is remarkable because he's the all time leader at age 27 season and still has 50 + games left in the to extend his lead. Trout is at 71.0 and Cobb was at 69.2 at the end of his age 27 season.
Right now in MLB, 8 of the top 10 players in WAR are white.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Mike Trout should become the first player in MLB history with 250 homeruns and 200 steals before his age 28 season! He has 275 homeruns and 197 steals. Hopefully he'll get 3 more, however he hasn't been attempting to steal much lately? Trout is way out in front for his third AL MVP Award, who in just his ninth season-one shy of HOF eligibility-has already achieved a 71.1 WAR. He's on track to pass Derek Jeter, 72.4 and Reggie Jackson, 74.0 by the end of the season!

 

[Carolina Speed]

Today is Mike Trout's 28th birthday. He's arguably the greatest baseball player of all time at his age! Here's what the leaderboard for WAR looks like for players through their age-27 season.

1. Mike Trout: 71.5. He is expected to add around 2.7 to that total by year's end!
2. Ty Cobb: 68.8
3. Mickey Mantle: 67.9
4. Rogers Hornsby: 64.6
4. Jimmie Fox: 64.6
6. Alex Rodriquez: 62.0
7. Mel Ott: 61.5
8. Ken Griffey Jr.: 57.0
9. Tris Speaker: 54.4
10. Eddie Collins: 53.7
He's already 52nd all time among position players, and a solid finish to this season and an average Trout season in 2020 might put him in the top 30!

 

[Carolina Speed]

Mike Trout has hit a career high 42nd HR this afternoon in Texas. Looks like he could hit 50 by years end! He has tied Bellinger for the MLB lead and is 7 clear of his nearest competitor in the AL. He needs to steal at least one more base to become the youngest MLB player ever to hit 250 HR's and steal 200 bases. He now has 282 career HR's!
Also, if he continues to have a good day, he should pass Derek Jeter in career WAR.

 

[FootballDad]

Really nice article today on SI online about Trout and his greatest (well, all of them) seasons. Enjoy!

Ranking Mike Trout's Eight Seasons From Great to Greatest

 

[Carolina Speed]

Really nice article today on SI online about Trout and his greatest (well, all of them) seasons. Enjoy!

Ranking Mike Trout's Eight Seasons From Great to Greatest

Yes, very nice. Thank you Footballdad.....and Trout hits his MLB leading 43rd HR last night!
There's also an article on Rafael Devers, the Boston Red Sox third baseman. Saying he's no Mike Trout, but his year 22 season is better than Trout's. Which I disagree with!
Devers doesn't have as many HR's, RBI, runs scored and has only 8 stolen bases and has been caught stealing 8 times in 16 attempts, a 50% rate, Trout was 16 for 18, an 89% rate. Trout's WAR was a career low 7.6, but at 4.9 WAR, I doubt Devers catches him in that stat either. Also, in addition to the friendly Fenway hitters park, they don't mention the support around Devers as well, Betts, Bogaerts, Martinez, and Benintendi! Trout has had very little support around him and plays in a not so friendly hitters ball park.
They're trying to find someone as good as Trout, but it ain't happening

 

[Shadowlight]

Also, in addition to the friendly Fenway hitters park, they don't mention the support around Devers as well, Betts, Bogaerts, Martinez, and Benintendi! Trout has had very little support around him and plays in a not so friendly hitters ball park.
They're trying to find someone as good as Trout, but it ain't happening

Fair points when it comes to deciding who should be an MVP. I take everything into consideration including fielding prowess and the gap between Devers and Trout in that department is very wide.

The Mets newish ball park was changed since it's inception. Noticing how hard it was for players to hit home runs they moved in the fences.

Anaheim though has traditionally been one of the toughest ballparks to hit home runs. Trout is closing in on the single season record of 47 set by Troy Glaus in 2000.

The NL MVP race is up in the air due to Cody Bellinger being mired in a lengthy slow burning slump as his average continues to drop.

I am rooting super hard for Trout and Bellinger to win their league MVPs.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Mike Trout has stolen his 200th career base. He is now the youngest MLB player to hit 250 HR's and steal 200 bases. He currently has 283 career Homeruns!

 

[knightedsoldier5000]

That is excellent news Carolina! They haven't really been letting Trout run much the last 4-5 years. Probalby so he doesn't get injured.

Trout is so humble it's impossible not to like him, obviously he was raised right.

MLB is calling it the 200/200 club. Apparently he broke that POS cheater Bond's fake record:


Trout becomes youngest to join 200-200 club
Angels superstar picks up 200th stolen base to best Bonds by 325 days

ANAHEIM -- Mike Trout made history on Saturday night in the Angels' 10-4 comeback win against the Red Sox at Angel Stadium, as he recorded his 200th career stolen base to become the youngest player to join the 200-homer, 200-stolen base club.

Trout, who entered the game with 283 career long balls, is 28 years, 24 days old. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Barry Bonds was previously the youngest to enter the 200-200 club, at 28 years, 349 days. Bonds, the only member of the 400-400 club, actually reached 200 steals two seasons before hitting his 200th home run.

• Box score

"It's a pretty cool accomplishment," said Trout, who hadn't stolen a base since Aug. 14. "I was sitting on that one for a while, so I'm just happy I got it over with."
Trout is the 40th player with 250 homers and 200 stolen bases, joining Ryan Braun and Ian Kinsler as the only other active players.

"When I get the opportunity to go, I take that chance,” Trout said. “Especially when it's a good opportunity. You've got to know who's behind the plate, know the times from the pitcher. It's knowing the situation."

Trout led the American League with 49 stolen bases as a rookie in 2012, and while he's seen his totals dip over the years, he remains incredibly efficient at swiping bags. Trout has been caught just 36 times in his career, giving him a success rate of 84.7 percent. Among players with at least 200 career stolen bases, it's the third-best rate in Major League history behind Carlos Beltran (86.4 percent) and Jarrod Dyson (85 percent).

“I think the best thing about his basestealing is he’s very efficient,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “He doesn’t get caught a ton. I don’t like wasting outs on the bases. I think the outs should are reserved for the guys swinging the bats.”

Earlier this season, Trout became the first player in AL history to post eight consecutive seasons with at least 25 homers and 10 stolen bases. The only other Major Leaguers to accomplish that feat are Bonds (12 years, 1990-2001), Darryl Strawberry (nine years, 1983-91) and Willie Mays (eight years, 1955-62).

Additionally, the only other players with at least 275 homers and 200 stolen bases in the AL in a career are Alex Rodriguez, Reggie Jackson, Jose Canseco, Joe Carter, Don Baylor and George Brett.

https://www.mlb.com/news/mike-trout-makes-history-with-200th-stolen-base

 

[Carolina Speed]

That is excellent news Carolina! They haven't really been letting Trout run much the last 4-5 years. Probalby so he doesn't get injured.

Trout is so humble it's impossible not to like him, obviously he was raised right.

MLB is calling it the 200/200 club. Apparently he broke that POS cheater Bond's fake record:


Trout becomes youngest to join 200-200 club
Angels superstar picks up 200th stolen base to best Bonds by 325 days

ANAHEIM -- Mike Trout made history on Saturday night in the Angels' 10-4 comeback win against the Red Sox at Angel Stadium, as he recorded his 200th career stolen base to become the youngest player to join the 200-homer, 200-stolen base club.

Trout, who entered the game with 283 career long balls, is 28 years, 24 days old. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Barry Bonds was previously the youngest to enter the 200-200 club, at 28 years, 349 days. Bonds, the only member of the 400-400 club, actually reached 200 steals two seasons before hitting his 200th home run.

• Box score

"It's a pretty cool accomplishment," said Trout, who hadn't stolen a base since Aug. 14. "I was sitting on that one for a while, so I'm just happy I got it over with."
Trout is the 40th player with 250 homers and 200 stolen bases, joining Ryan Braun and Ian Kinsler as the only other active players.

"When I get the opportunity to go, I take that chance,” Trout said. “Especially when it's a good opportunity. You've got to know who's behind the plate, know the times from the pitcher. It's knowing the situation."

Trout led the American League with 49 stolen bases as a rookie in 2012, and while he's seen his totals dip over the years, he remains incredibly efficient at swiping bags. Trout has been caught just 36 times in his career, giving him a success rate of 84.7 percent. Among players with at least 200 career stolen bases, it's the third-best rate in Major League history behind Carlos Beltran (86.4 percent) and Jarrod Dyson (85 percent).

“I think the best thing about his basestealing is he’s very efficient,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “He doesn’t get caught a ton. I don’t like wasting outs on the bases. I think the outs should are reserved for the guys swinging the bats.”

Earlier this season, Trout became the first player in AL history to post eight consecutive seasons with at least 25 homers and 10 stolen bases. The only other Major Leaguers to accomplish that feat are Bonds (12 years, 1990-2001), Darryl Strawberry (nine years, 1983-91) and Willie Mays (eight years, 1955-62).

Additionally, the only other players with at least 275 homers and 200 stolen bases in the AL in a career are Alex Rodriguez, Reggie Jackson, Jose Canseco, Joe Carter, Don Baylor and George Brett.

https://www.mlb.com/news/mike-trout-makes-history-with-200th-stolen-base

Good stuff KS5000. Trout needs to finish strong though. He has been taken over in SLG% lead by Minnesota DH Nelson Cruz by .001. He's not been hitting for much power lately, suffering a mild foot injury. I hope he can hit a few more homeruns to assure him of leading the league. He needs to lead in as many categories as possible, so the media can't find an excuse to rob him of the AL MVP!

 

[Carolina Speed]

Trout out again Friday. This foot/toe injury is becoming a very concerning. At this point, I'm not sure he'll play again this season which could affect his MVP status and certainly the AL HR lead, as KC's Soler now has 44 HR's.
I'm hoping he's in the lineup today, but who knows? Thursday the Angels had the day off and he was certain to play last night?

 

[Shadowlight]

I believe Trout is playing tonight. I have been a nervous wreck contemplating his damn toe injury. Hopefully he hits the ground running because his MVP bid might not be a lock. The Astros Alex Bregman is hot on his heels according to some.

Christian Yelich is out for the season which opens the door a little wider for Cody Bellinger in the NL MVP race. Bellinger is struggling like hell to keep his average above .300. Interestingly last night he beat out a grounder to the pitcher for a base hit. He can fly. Bellinger is beyond unique. A multi position player who shines in the field wherever he plays although I would prefer they let him settle down at one position.

Trout of course is my favorite but right behind him is Bellinger and then Trea Turner who is hitting just below .300 for the surging Nationals.

Among others I also like the trio of young white talent in Pittsburgh, Reynolds, Newman and Frazier. Reynolds was born to play baseball. A natural.

And one of the most underrated players in all of baseball is Rockies SS Trevor Story. He bopped two home runs last night giving him I believe 32 for the season.

 

[Carolina Speed]

I believe Trout is playing tonight.

Mike Trout's season is officially over. Trout will undergo season ending surgery on his right foot. A terrible ending for an otherwise great season. Will not win the HR title and may not win the MVP.