Fansided

MLB All-Star Game 2015: Mike Trout named MVP

By Matt Verderame

Jul 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; American League outfielder Mike Trout (27) of the Los Angeles Angels runs after hitting a lead off home run against the National League during the first inning of the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; American League outfielder Mike Trout (27) of the Los Angeles Angels runs after hitting a lead off home run against the National League during the first inning of the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Most people would have bet on Mike Trout, Prince Fielder, Zack Greinke, Madison Bumgarner or another high-profile star to be named the Most Valuable Player of the 2015 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night at Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark. Those people who bet on the first guy would have won some cash.

Trout is the first player in All-Star Game history to be named the MVP for two consecutive seasons, earning the distinction with a first-inning home run off Greinke while notching another hit and two runs in the American League’s 6-3 victory.

Trout is without question the best all-around player in the game today, and continues to showcase that with the lights shining bright. The 23-year old won a truck and another piece of hardware to go along with his American League MVP trophy from last season, along with three Silver Sluggers and the Hank Aaron Award.

This year, Trout is hitting .312 with 26 home runs and 55 RBI for his first-place Los Angeles Angels, giving the lineup plenty of power and speed behind right fielder Kole Calhoun and first baseman Albert Pujols. Trout also has nine stolen bases and a .405 on-base percentage, cleaning up his strikeout issues that plagued him last season.

The choice was fairly easy to vote Trout, although one could have made a case for Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain. Cain was terrific for the American League, possibly earning home-field advantage in the World Series for his team. Cain had an RBI double in the fifth inning to with a single and a stolen base, earning him the hardware. It is truly a great story with Cain, who really became a national name last year during Kansas City’s run to the Fall Classic.

The 29-year-old is hitting .316 this season with eight home runs and 42 RBI while sporting an impressing .373 on-base percentage. Last year, Cain hit .301 with five blasts and 53 RBI, becoming more than just a bit player for the first time in his career. Cain also showed off his speed in 2014 with 28 stolen bases, helping him to a 5.0 Wins Above Replacement. Through 76 games this season, Cain already is worth 4.6.

Home/MLB