Can Trout be the best player in MLB?

[ThomasTomasz]

 

There is a longtime evaluator who has gotten a chance to see Mike Trout in person a handful of times since the Angels recalled the outfielder to the big leagues this season.

The evaluator is not prone to hyperbole or overstatement, and he isn't someone who rushes to judgment.

His feelings about Trout's ability are strong. "If he's not the best player in the game by the end of this season," said the evaluator, "he will be by the end of next season."

On the day that Trout was summoned to the big leagues, the Angels were 6-14. Since then, they are 16-11, and Trout has thrived, at age 20. "He excels at everything he does," said the evaluator.


Trout has 11 extra-base hits in his first 25 games and a .500 slugging percentage. He's averaged 4.28 pitches per plate appearance; the only member of the Angels with more, the evaluator noted, is Albert Pujols, who has a decade more in the big leagues. He has six stolen bases. "He may be the fastest player in the game," said the evaluator. "There isn't anything on a baseball field that he doesn't do well. He's special."

Jerry Dipoto, the Angels' first-year general manager, has been greatly impressed by what he's seen from Trout's at-bats -- but also in his response to when he doesn't get a hit. "I think he's been remarkably good," Dipoto said. "For a 20-year-old, he just doesn't let a bad at-bat carry over. He doesn't let it pile up. ... I can't recall anyone at that age who has that ability.

"He's one of the reasons" the Angels have turned it around, Dipoto said. "He's created some stability at the top of the lineup."

Trout's mindset is that a perfect at-bat, Dipoto said, is an at-bat when he's scored a run. He's got 17 so far.

In 73 days, Trout will celebrate his 21st birthday.

Trout went 0-for-5 on Friday, but the Angels rallied to win; Pujols blasted another homer, as Mike DiGiovanna writes.

Trout could hit anywhere in the top five spots in the Angels' lineup, says Mike Scioscia.

Yes, more Buster Olney, but at least he gathered an outside opinion. Is it possible, or does this belong in the "Bad Baseball Statements" thread?

Discuss :arrieta:

 

[NAHSTE]

I think he has a ceiling of an MVP caliber player, so yes he "can" ... then again, he's an Angels prospect so he'll probably plateau at 22 and never get good.

 

[SuperKevin]

Honestly, if it weren't for the Bryce Harper, all phenom talk would be going to Mike Trout. He's a legit 5 tool player and easily one of the best young players in the game today

 

[Rudi]

Love me some Trout, but he will be hard pressed to surpass Josh Hamilton as the best player in the MLB right now I think.

 

[EmpireWF]

Trout's been on FIRE ever since he got the call.