It’s no secret that the Los Angeles Angels have a star on their books in Mike Trout, a fact backed up by the six-year contract extension he signed last season worth an estimated $140 million. But with the Angels currently failing to impress in the Western Division, the team’s management are well aware that they will have to do more as a team if they are to provide this prodigious talent with a fitting platform.
After being drafted by the Angels in 2009, Trout has gone on to establish himself as one of the best young players in the league. His breath-taking rise has captured the imagination of fans across the country, and since 2012, his batting statistics have been steadily improving, making him one of the hottest properties in the sport at the moment.
At the start of the 2010 campaign, Trout’s performances had been somewhat underwhelming, and although many still viewed him as one of the best young players at the franchise, it would be fair to say that no one could have predicted his incredible rise since that year. The end of the 2010 season saw him collect the J.G. Taylor Spink Award after being named the Topps Minor League Player of the Year, achieving that feat at just the age of 19 to become the youngest player to ever have that honor bestowed on them. It was hardly surprising the media’s focus soon arrived on the youngster.
The 2011 season saw Trout collect the Minor League Player of the Year, but it was 2012 when his quick hands, powerful frame and pin-point hand-eye speed were unleashed on the big leagues. He went from starting the season averaging a home run every 49 at-bats to a home run every 19 by the close of the year, hitting an incredible 30 home runs in the process. Trout followed his debut season up with 27 home runs in 2013 and 36 home runs in 2014, scooping all personal awards before him and proving that he was far from the one-season wonder some had labelled him.
Earlier this year, Mike Trout became the youngest player to ever amass 100 home runs in Major League baseball, breaking Alex Rodriguez’ record and cementing his place in the record books, possibly for a good while. Easily marketed as an all-American hero, Trout is a valuable asset to the Angels, who will be hoping next season will give them the chance to make a more serious impression on the Western Division after failing to build on last year’s promise when they won they topped the division. As such, it hasn’t come as a shock to see the franchise’s World Series odds with bet365 drift in recent weeks.
If the Angels are serious about keeping one of the brightest stars in the sport, they are going to have to find a way to fill his trophy cabinet as well as his wallet. While Trout will find it hard to walk away from his huge contract, the Angels will need to start convincing the 24-year old they can match his career ambitions in terms of trophies as well as contracts.
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