Trout is currently on pace to be a serious contender to win AL Rookie of the Year, AL MVP, AL Batting Title and the AL Stolen Base Title (photo by Keith Allison flickr)
To suggest that Mike Trout cannot win the American League MVP because of his age would be suggested out of pure ignorance.
Trout has been setting new standards at each level he’s been at since his high school days (three whole years ago).
What was Trout’s numbers in high school like? Oh nothing special, just hit 18 home runs to set a New Jersey state record.
In 2010 Trout split the season between Cedar Rapids and Class A-Rancho Cucamonga and in 131 games, Trout hit .342 with 10 home runs and 58 rbi.
That season at age 19, Trout became the youngest player ever to win the Minor League Player of the Year Award.
Trout split the 2011 season between AA Arkansas and the major league squad due to necessity at the big league level.
That season, Trout was named Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year. A trend is starting here, as Trout has set state records or won the MVP of his league in every year since baseball stats meant something in his life.
Trout started the 2012 season in AAA Salt Lake, only to be recalled to the show 20 games into the season. Since being called up, Trout has made a mockery of big league pitching, hitting .348 with 12 home runs and 42 rbi through 276 at bats. The impressive stat line does not stop there, as Trout’s 30 stolen bases lead all of Major League Baseball.
Trout is currently on pace to be a serious contender to win AL Rookie of the Year, AL MVP, AL Batting Title and the AL Stolen Base Title.
Trout and fellow phenom Bryce Harper were called up to the Majors the same exact day this season and since then, Harper’s numbers pale in comparison to Trouts’. Harper has received much fan-fare and publicity due to his aggressive style of play and largely due to playing in Washington. With Trout playing on the west coast, many games are not viewed by a large audience such as Harper’s games.
So, back to the original point–MVP. If Trout continues to put up these numbers, he will absolutely be in the debate for MVP at the conclusion of the season. If Trout were to actually win the MVP this season, he would become the youngest player ever to win the award.
At this point in time, the youngest player to ever win the MVP award in Major League Baseball is pitcher Vida Blue in 1971 for the Oakland Athletics. Blue, 21 during his MVP season, won 24 games, struck out 301 hitters through 312 innings pitched and had a 1.82 ERA.
Trout has done nothing but be the most valuable player in every platform he has played in since high school and nothing he has done since becoming a professional should raise doubt about him continuing that trend.
Barring any long-term injuries, Trout will most certainly win an MVP Award at some point in his career, but if you’re betting on past history, you might want to bet on Trout this season.
