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Will 2016 Bring L.A. Angel’s Mike Trout His 2nd AL MVP?

By Jeff Henning

Aug 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) gets set to bat in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) gets set to bat in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Catch Of The Day: MVP #2

September 30, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) hits a solo home run in the third inning against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
September 30, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) hits a solo home run in the third inning against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

2016 will be Mike Trout’s 5th full season in the majors. In his previous 4 seasons, all Trout has done is collect 1 MVP trophy, 1 ROY, and 3 MVP runners-up. No other player in MLB history has started out their career in such a manner and Trout is looking to add even more to his impressive trophy collection. This year, like seasons prior, Mike Trout will have no shortage of competition for the award. However, if Trout can avoid a slump like the one he suffered through last August, logical sense would have to make Trout the favorite to win his 2nd AL MVP.

Trout’s 2015 MVP campaign really started to pick up steam last July, when he was hitting the stitches off the ball. In 79 July at-bats, Trout registered 29 hits, 12 home runs, a triple, and a batting average of .367 while striking out only 18 times, his lowest K total of any month last season. The Angels were one of the hottest teams in baseball at this time, and then the train absolutely ran off the track. Trout was clearly bothered by some sort of nagging injury because his production dropped significantly. In 101 August at-bats, Trout collected only 22 hits, which equated to a staggering .218 batting-average. Although he was able to collect 2 triples in August, his single home run in that month was by far the lowest home run total of any month in 2015.

Oct 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits a two run home run against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning in game three of the ALCS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits a two run home run against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning in game three of the ALCS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

It was around this time that eventual MVP Josh Donaldson took the driver’s seat in the race. When it mattered most, and while Trout struggled, Donaldson had his best month of the season. In August he tallied a .324 batting average, 35 RBI, 11 home runs, and 7 doubles in 105 at-bats. The Blue Jays were without a doubt the best team in August and Donaldson was simply the best player on the best team. That’s not to say that Donaldson wasn’t deserving of the MVP because he absolutely was, and somewhere Billy Beane sobs in the corner of his office.

The former Millville Meteor did make a late season push with 18 extra base hits in 108 at bats spread throughout September and October. Unfortunately for both Trout and the Angels though, the damage had already been done. Donaldson and the Blue Jays cruised into the playoffs while Trout and the Halos were eliminated during their final series of the season. Injuries, front-office meltdowns, non-existent left field production were the main factors that doomed this team, and their reigning MVP.

Jun 30, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Fans of Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (not pictured) hold a Trout fishing net during the game against the New York Yankees at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 30, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Fans of Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (not pictured) hold a Trout fishing net during the game against the New York Yankees at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The upcoming 2016 season should be no different for Mike Trout as he looks to finally get his 2nd AL MVP. So long as he avoids a slump like the one that plagued him last August, Trout should no doubt be the heavy favorite to win the award. Just in case you’re worried that last August was more than an anomaly, just know that Trout is a career .278 hitter and his 25 career home-runs in August tie for 2nd highest total from any month.

It’s a special time to be an Angels fan or even just a fan of baseball in general. The game is loaded with young superstars, and Mike Trout is undoubtedly at the top of that list. At just 24 years of age, he has yet to even to touch the ceiling of his potential. I’m not even talking about just baseball, I think Mike Trout can transcend to a global figure. Just look at what he’s already done for the namesake Trout.

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