All-Angels Team: Final Unveil

All-Angels Team Center Fielder: Mike Trout (2011-Present)

When the Angels selected Mike Trout 25th overall in the 2009 draft, they likely had no idea they were making what would turn out to be one of the best picks in baseball history. Trout exploded onto the scene in 2012 with the Angels, quickly establishing himself as one of the premier players in the league. Trouty has put together arguably the best first three full seasons in MLB history. He has made three All-Star teams, won three Silver Sluggers, and won the 2012 Rookie of the Year Award. The Millville, NJ product has finished in the top two of American League MVP voting in each of the last three seasons, taking home the trophy for the first time in 2014. It is hard to pick which season was the best for Trout, but 2012 stands out. In Trout’s first full season in Anaheim he hit .326, with 30 home runs, 83 RBI’s, and 49 stolen bases across 139 games. Trouty led the Angels to the best record in baseball in 2014, and into the postseason for the first time during his tenure.

Aug 29, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) reacts at the end of the game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The Angels defeated the Athletics 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

At just 23-years-old, he has drawn comparisons to Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays, two of the most iconic players in baseball history. Trouty has hit .305, with 98 home runs, 307 RBI’s, and 102 stolen bases over the course of four seasons as a member of the Angels. Trout has consistently made spectacular grabs during his career, and his .993 career fielding percentage in center field speaks to his defensive prowess. He has posted a 2.66 range factor per 9 innings as a center fielder thus far in his career, edging out the league average of 2.65. Trouty has tallied a remarkable 28.2 wins above replacement during his first four seasons in the league.

Mike Trout appears destined to one day be enshrined in Cooperstown amongst the greatest players in baseball history. For many fans, he may already be considered the finest player in Angels’ history. Thankfully, Trouty is locked up through 2020, so fans will have at least six more seasons to watch the best player in the league mature into perhaps the best player in baseball history. Mike Trout’s youthful exuberance is a big reason why fans love to watch baseball, and personally, I cannot wait to see what he does next!

Mike Trout is the youngest member of the All-Angels Team, and he is the only active player on the roster. Trout was elected after scoring 69% of the fan vote.

Next: All-Angels Team Right Fielder