The graph of the Los Angeles Angels’ gem Mike Trout is dipping. No, this is not a sympathy piece about the 32-year-old being stuck in Anaheim. While there’s the aspect of him sticking around with the “sadsack team”, there’s another aspect that has nothing to do with the team he is in. His prime days are over, perhaps. The only point of reference at present here is the Spring Training of 2024.
Well, with Shohei Ohtani gone to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Trout seems like the only pillar carrying the Angels, as he has been doing for a while now. The powerful man with 11 All-Stars, 3 MVP titles, and 2 AL Hank Aaron Awards to his name “is having one of the worst #SpringTraining campaigns of his 15-year career…”
The Los Angeles Angels Star’s Disappointing Spring Training Indicates An Unpleasant Reality
While spring stats should not be overanalyzed, the 32-year-old’s numbers are undeniably concerning. Currently, he is a meager .212 with a career-worst .270 on-base percentage. Trout also seems to be struggling to find his usual steadiness at the plate. His strikeout woes are specifically worrisome, with his current tally of 15 Ks surpassing his former career high for an entire spring.
Mike Trout is having one of the worst #SpringTraining campaigns of his 15-year career…
• .212 AVG – second worst of career
• .270 OBP – worst of career
• .694 OPS – third worst of career
• 15 K – worst of career
• 2 BB – third worst of career— Dan Clark (@DanClarkSports) March 17, 2024
Well, this has not been his only worst. Looking at the 2023 season, it does not come as a shocker that Trout wasn’t at his best. Injuries (fractured bone in his arm) and certain inefficiencies led to him leaving the season prematurely.
While he did acknowledge that, “I felt like myself for a while. Just getting back to that is key”, his words are yet to translate into some solid spring training action. What could possibly solve this problem?
While Quieting Trade Talks, Will Mike Trout Regain His Pre-Injury Form?
A common fan-answer to that question is – Trout should ask to be traded. But again, let’s not forget what he said last year. His words were, “I go through this every year. There are private conversations I have with Arte [Moreno] and John [team president John Carpino]. And like I said, I’m doing the same thing I did the last, what, 13 years? Going into the offseason, clearing my mind, and getting ready for spring and wearing an Angels uniform in spring.” If he continues being loyal to the Angels, there will be expectations from fans to regain his pre-injury form. But that will only happen if his prime years are not over yet.
Nevertheless, it is important to maintain an open-minded perspective. While Spring Training does serve as a platform for players to work on their mechanics and practice their swings, it’s not unusual for hitters to come across some slumps during this period. That being said, Trout’s struggles must not be entirely disregarded either. On one hand, fans hope that this is a mere blip on the radar. On the other, his performance warrants a much closer attention to whether Mike Trout still has the X-factor as he did a few years ago. Alert! The regular season is approaching.
