Mike Trout No Longer in MVP Race

Mike Trout was having his best season to date this season. However, his recent struggles have all but eliminated him from adding a third MVP to his list of awards.

Mike Trout was counted out of the American League Most Valuable Player race after he tore a ligament in his thumb. Missing six weeks does not make things impossible, but it sure made things much more difficult for Trout.

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As the season progressed, the Millville Meteor showed what makes him the best in the world. He was leading an average (at best) lineup to the Wild Card. A team decimated by a plethora of injuries to their pitching staff, most notably their starting rotation.

People around the MLB were opening up to the idea that Mike Trout deserves first place votes. Some may still think that, but Trout has been slowing down at a time when his team needs him to go above and beyond more than ever.

For two months now, the Halos have been battling a handful of teams for the second AL Wild Card spot. The Angels even added slugger Justin Upton and veteran Brandon Phillips to surround Trout in the lineup. He should be driving in more runs and scoring at a better pace. However, Trout has been doing just the opposite.

Since the Halos acquired Upton and Phillips, Trout has been hitting at a .246 average. He has scored as many times as he has gotten a hit (15), but driven in only five runs. He has walked at a solid rate, with 15 walks this month.

While those numbers do not sound bad besides his batting average, it simply is not enough. Mike Trout is expected to go above and beyond for the Halos, and that is something he has not done as of late. Meanwhile, Chris Sale is setting records as the Red Sox eye a World Series run and Jose Altuve has led the Astros to another memorable year, despite injuries to his teammates.

Next: Can the Halos Find Some Magic to Make Wild Card?

Mike Trout has been great this season, especially considering the adversity he faced. However, he just has not done enough to beat out such an impressive group of candidates.