A Look Back At 2012: Mike Trout

This is going to be the first in the A Look Back at 2012 Series that we are going to put together over the next couple of weeks.  I figured why not start with the player who put up numbers no one ever did before in Mike Trout.

After being recalled from the minors in late April, Trout had a deathgrip on the AL Rookie of the Year Award that would make the best ninja ever jealous. Trout finished the year hitting .326 with 30 homers and 83 RBI while stealing 49 bases. Not too shabby huh? Trout became the first player ever to hit 30 homers, steal over 40 bases and score over 125 runs.

Sep 28, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) bats during the game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark. The Angels beat the Rangers 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE

Trout established himself as one of the best all around players in the game, making ridiculous catches look routine. The only time he would move from center is when Peter Bourjos was in the game which shows you how good defensively Bourjos is.

Game of the Season: Trout had so many good offensive games that’s it is extremely hard to pick. You could with his performance in Colorado on June 9^th when he went 3-5 with three runs, two RBI and two stolen bases. I may go with his game against Seattle October 1^st when the team was still in contention, going 4-5 driving in three runs and almost hitting for the cycle.

2013 Outlook: Mike Trout is still going to be awesome next year. Whether he puts up numbers like he did this year remains to be seen. You have to expect a little regression. He also isn’t arbitration eligible so he’s cost effective, however, if he puts up numbers like last year, the Angels would be wise to lock up Trout to a long-term deal.