ESPN's Top 100 MLB Players of All Time list proves Mike Trout is in GOAT conversation

Recently, ESPN ranked their Top 100 MLB Players of All Time, and LA Angels franchise player Mike Trout of course made the list.

There was no doubt when it came to whether he'd make the list or not. The question was WHERE he'd crack the list at.

He ended up coming in at No. 15, which many argue is too low. The reality is, however, that this ranking shows that Trout is indeed in the conversation for one of the greatest few players in history despite him not placing there right now. It also goes to show that if Trout continues to play elite baseball, he will end up firmly in the conversation for greatest player of all time.

LA Angels superstar Mike Trout was No. 15 on the list after playing just 10 years.

The fact that Mike Trout is even that high while only being in the game for 10 years IS a great and respectable honor. He's the highest active player on the list, and doesn't have too much longer to go. If he continues to play at the level he was been, he's of course going to climb up the ranking as time passes.

And, he's absolutely going to continue playing at an MVP level. He was having the best year of his career before he went down, hitting .333/.466/.624 (1.090 OPS) with eight home runs and 23 RBIs in just 36 games.

He hasn't made an error in three seasons. He doesn't have the wheels he once did, but he still is quick and his leadership by example will always stick out when we have 'greatest of all time' conversations. The reality is that while he may have only placed 15th, and should have been higher, he doesn't have the total statistics to place among some of the greats ahead of him on this list.

For instance, Willie Mays, who placed No. 2 on the list, absolutely doesn't have the slash line Trout does. His .301/.384/.557 (.940 OPS) is worse across the board than Trout's .305/.419/.583 (1.002 OPS). That being said, Mays played 12 more years than Trout currently has, so he has 1,874 more hits, 350 more home runs, and 1,101 more runs scored than him.

If Trout keeps this up, which again, he likely will; THEN he will place up towards the top of the list once he gathers the overall/total statistics that some of these other legends already have. Therefore, Trout WILL be at the top of these lists someday, or at least close. This ranking is by no means a slight to the great Trout, but just a reminder that while Trout has the chance to be the greatest ever, he needs to continue playing at this level for longer.