Now if they could just find him some pitching....
Mike Trout is ending the debate
September, 10, 2013
By Buster Olney
Mike Trout was loved by front-office types last year. But this year, the players also see it.
Before the season, Mike Trout talked about wanting to be more patient at the plate, about drawing more walks, because in his first full season in the big leagues he had shown some impatience and, naturally, he wanted to get better.
Well, a year later, Trout has increased his walk total -- by about 50 percent. He is on pace to draw 102 walks this season, as well as 203 hits, 78 extra-base hits, 110 runs, 95 RBIs and 36 stolen bases.
A longtime player was asked last week about the MVP vote in the American League. ?Trout?s going to win it, isn?t he?? he responded. ?There isn?t really any question about it -- he?s the best player in baseball.?
? Trout currently leads the AL in hits with 179.
? He leads the league in walks with 90.
? He leads in runs with 97.
? He?s tied for fifth in doubles with 37.
? He?s third in OPS at 1.009.
? He is also running away from everybody else in WAR, in the way that he did last year.
Last year, the drumbeat of the Trout-for-MVP discussion was led by talent evaluators who work in street clothes -- the general managers, the assistant general managers, the scouts. But this year, you hear it more and more from players. They view Trout as occupying a very special and distinct place in the sport.
Most players I?ve spoken this summer with think Miguel Cabrera is the best hitter, and Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher.
But the best overall player? The folks in front offices still can?t believe there?s a debate about this, given Trout?s staggering preeminence in the statistical evaluations they compile. Now, more and more players are agreeing with them, in Trout?s second full year in the big leagues.
