Mike Trout Looking To Turn Around His HOF Career
It’s pretty well assumed that if Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout never plays another game, that he will easily enter the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.
Yet Trout, the pride of Millville High School, certainly doesn’t want to rest on his past accomplishments.
For so long he was considered the best player in baseball, but injuries over the last few years have changed that narrative.
It was announced last week that Trout, who turned 33 this month, is out for the season with a second meniscus tear in his left knee. He posted his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter).
His frustration was clearly evident in his remarks. Among his comments: “Playing and completing is a huge part of my life. This is equally as heartbreaking and frustrating for me as it is for you, the fans. I understand that I may have disappointed many, but believe me, I will do everything I can to come back even stronger.”
Trout suffered his first meniscus tear on April 29 and had his first surgery May 3.
Trout is among the most popular athletes in the country.
His recent problem has been staying healthy.
This is the fourth straight year he has been plagued by injuries. In 2021 he suffered a calf strain and played just 36 games. During the 2022 season a back injury limited him to 119 games.
It must be noted that he made the most of those 119 games, with a .283/.369/.630 slash line, with 40 home runs and 80 RBI. He finished eighth in the MVP voting despite missing 43 games.
In 2023 a hamate fracture limited him to 82 games.
This year he appeared in just 29 games and hit .220/.325/.541 with 10 home runs.
During his first nine full seasons, he had a slash line of .306/.421/587 with 297 home runs and 782 RBI. He had a ridiculous 176 OPS+. Trout won three MVP awards and finished second four times. That is HOF worthy right there.
In the last four years his line was .276/.376/.575 with an OPS+ of 159. These are still excellent numbers, but he averaged just 66 games.
The bottom line is that when he is on the field, Trout is still highly productive.
He has already been an 11-time All-Star. In addition, Trout was also named Rookie of the Year and has earned nine Silver Slugger Awards.
Trout already has an 86 BWAR with 378 home runs, 954 RBI, a 991 OPS and a 173 OPS+, which is eighth all-time.
According to Spotrac.com, Trout has six years left on his contract and won’t be eligible for free agency until the 2031 season
His average salary in the next six years is $35,541,667, according to Spotrac.com.
With his contract and the recent injuries, it’s not likely he will be traded.
The bottom line is that if Trout stays healthy, he is still a highly productive player. He might not be the best player in the game, but could still fall in the Top 10.
There is no doubt in this reporter’s mind that Trout has plenty of tread left on his tires. He just needs to be able to stay on the field, which is the immediate challenge in prolonging his HOF career.
Photo Mike Trout / Marc Narducci
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Author: Marc Narducci
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