Mike Trout Sets Rookie Record With 30th Home Run

Mike Trout is the first rookie to combine 30 home runs and 40 stolen bases

In the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday, Los Angeles Angels rookie outfielder Mike Trout belted a historic home run off Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish.

The last was the 30th of the season for the undeniable American League Rookie of the Year. That is a remarkable feat, especially considering that he collected 23 home runs in 286 career minor league games.

According to ESPN Stats, Trout is the first player in Major League history to have at least 45 steals, 30 home runs and 125 runs in a single season. The 21-year-old is the youngest player in Major League history to record a 30-30 season, and he is the first rookie to combine 30 dingers and 40 stolen bases.

In the first inning of Sunday’s twinbill opener, Trout tallied his 48th stolen base of the season, which tied Rangers first base coach Gary Pettis for the Angels’ rookie record. If Trout gets two more steals this season, he will become only the third player in Major League history to combine 30 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season.

The debate continues about whether Trout or Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera should win the American League Most Valuable Player. Trout entered Sunday with a .322 average to accompany his aforementioned stats. Cabrera is attempting to become baseball’s first Triple Crown winner since Carl Yasztremski in 1967. He is batting .325 with 43 home runs and 136 RBI after Sunday’s action.