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Los Angeles Angels: Where Mike Trout Ranks Among the All Time Greats

By Manny Gómez |
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 27: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts before a game against the Boston Red Sox on June 27, 2018 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 27: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts before a game against the Boston Red Sox on June 27, 2018 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images)
(Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images) /

Through just eight seasons, Los Angeles Angels OF Mike Trout already belongs in the same conversation as some of the all time greats. Here’s why.

Through eight MLB seasons, among hitters with a minimum of 4500 PA, Los Angeles Angels OF Mike Trout already places 6th all time in wRC+ (172). He is literally sitting firmly behind Babe Ruth (197), Ted Williams (188), Lou Gehrig (173), Rogers Hornsby (173), and Barry Bonds (173).

This got me to wonder, where does Mike Trout statistically rank among the all time greats?

Clearly, Trout has only played eight seasons, so he wont come anywhere near the cumulative baseball stats (i.e. HR, H, RBI, etc.) that the aforementioned greats have. In the interest of fun, however, we can see where Trout ranks among the greats after eight seasons.

Please note that I have omitted Babe Ruth from the list because he was primarily a pitcher for the better part of his first eight seasons. Also, the list consists of players who played post 1920, which is when baseball essentially resembled the game we see today.

Also, I have not omitted players involved in the PED scandal for two reasons.

  1. They played in an era in which none of us can determine who did and did not use, therefore it is unfair to omit anyone based solely on speculation.
  2. If they did use PED’s, it only serves to further illustrate just how good Mike Trout – who we presume is clean – truly is.

So, without further ado, let’s do this!

(Photo by Jeff Chiu/Pool via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jeff Chiu/Pool via Getty Images) /

Hits

For his career, Mike Trout already has 1187 hits. Compared to all players in MLB history though eight seasons, that places Trout in 50th place. The most hits he’s ever had in a single season is 190, and he averages just under 150 hits per season.

After eight seasons, Trout has more hits (1187) than the following members of the 2500 H club:

  • Alex Rodriguez (1167)
  • Barry Bonds (1165)
  • Lou Gehrig (1139)
  • Adrian Beltre (1103)

On-Base Percentage (OBP)

You can’t score runs if you aren’t on base, and among MLB players all time through eight seasons, Mike Trout ranks 10th with a .416 OBP. He is so good at getting on-base that in the last three seasons, he has a .447 OBP. That’s a whole new level of good.

Through eight seasons, Trout ranks ahead of the following players in OBP:

  • Manny Ramirez (.407)
  • Chipper Jones (.400)
  • Joe DiMaggio (.399)
  • Barry Bonds (.391)

Slugging Percentage (SLG)

For his career, Mike Trout has a .573 SLG, which puts him 11th all-time. Through eight seasons Trout ranks 20th. What’s scary is that Trout keeps getting better.

In fact, in the last four seasons, Trout has a .597 SLG. Narrow the field even further, and in the last two seasons, Trout is averaging a SLG of .629.

Here’s how Trout ranks among some of the all time greats after eight seasons:

  • Hank Aaron (.565)
  • Barry Bonds (.526)
  • Larry Walker (.510)
  • Mark McGwire (.509)
(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Home Runs (HR)

For his career, Mike Trout has 240 HR. The most HR he has ever hit in a single season is 41 in 2015, followed by 39 in 2018. Based on his average HR per season, Trout is expected to hit at least 30 HR per season.

After eight seasons, Trout has more HR (240) than the following members of the 500 HR club:

  • Ken Griffey Jr. (238)
  • Mark McGwire (229)
  • Barry Bonds (222)
  • Sammy Sosa (171)

Runs Batted In (RBI)

Mike Trout currently has 648 RBI for his career. Despite playing for a low scoring LA Angels, Trout has driven in 90 or more runs 4x in his career, leading MLB in 2014 with 111 RBI.

After eight seasons, Trout has more RBI (648) than the following all time great power hitters:

  • Mark McGwire (632)
  • Frank Thomas (562)
  • Sammy Sosa (523)
  • Jim Thome (471)

Runs Scored (R)

Runs are how games are decided, and Mike Trout’s ability to get on base paired with his base running abilities makes him one of the best baserunners in MLB. In his career, Trout has lead MLB in R 4x (2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016).

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For Trout’s career, he has scored 793 runs which is more than the following players:

  • Willie Mays (777)
  • Alex Rodriguez (760)
  • Ken Griffey Jr. (695)
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