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MLB: Who’s the best player in 2019 – Mike Trout or Mookie Betts

By Kristen Bentley

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 26: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels talks to Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on June 26, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 26: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels talks to Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on June 26, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

As the 2019 regular season approaches, Trout will be playing in his ninth season in the MLB and will be 28 in August. Betts will be in his fifth and will be 27 in October.

Along with their time in the league, their sizes are quite different, too. Betts stands 5’9 and weighs in at 180. Trout is 6’2, 235. Betts looks more like a guy who should be playing middle infield and Trout looks more like a guy who should be tackling quarterbacks.

Both were signed out of high school, but Betts needed a little more seasoning in the minor leagues while Trout debuted at the young age of 19 after just two seasons in the minors.

Trout started setting records and winning awards before Betts made it to the Show. Since entering the MLB, Trout has two MVPs, a ROY, and seven All-Star invites. Betts has one MVP and three All-Star invites. Trout has six Silver Slugger Awards. Betts has two Silver Slugger Awards and three Gold Glove Awards.

Trout’s first MVP award came in his fourth season. Betts’ in his fifth. What’s remarkable is that Betts won the award over Trout, who finished second in the vote. Trout’s second MVP award came in his sixth season – 2016. In that same season, Betts finished second. It’s safe to say that we could see these two duke it out for the next few seasons. Lucky us!

Betts has something that Trout doesn’t: A World Series ring. It’s doubtful that Trout will get one as long as he is in Los Angeles. Until this happens, this gives Betts a slight edge over Trout. The Red Sox wouldn’t have gotten to the post-season if it weren’t for Betts (and the rest of the team) and his 10.7 WAR and MVP season.

Betts even hit a home run in the World Series in the last game of the season off of Clayton Kershaw. Betts has played in 21 post-season games. Trout has played in three, when he was 22 years old.

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