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MLB Awards: 3 Finalists for AL MVP

By Joseph Calabrese

Oct 23, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson before game six of the ALCS against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson before game six of the ALCS against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Mike Trout

  • Team: Los Angeles Angels
  • Position: CF
  • Key Stats: .299/.402/.590, 41 HRs, 90 RBIs, 11 SBs

I don’t know how one could praise the unbelievable-ness of Mike Trout even more so than what we’ve already seen in the last four years. He’s a special player. He’s not just normal “special,” either, Trout is Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Ken Griffey Jr. type of special. The 24-year-old, four time All-Star is now guaranteed his fourth top three MVP finish, and a heavy favorite to win the Award for a second consecutive year.

This was the first season in Trout’s young career where he eclipsed 40 home runs; coincidentally, he also led the AL in slugging percentage (.590) and OPS (an absurd .991). Trout’s power trajectory has only skyrocketed in time, and turned him into a true five-tool player. His incredible power is compounded by the fact that he remains one of best fielders in the game. He can hit 400-foot bombs and he can streak and rise 400 feet in the air to make sweet grabs like this one:

He’s a generational talent, with ability that even transcends the type of production he’s putting up now.

The reality is: he’s so good – Roger Federer, LeBron James and Tiger Woods good – that it would be even criminal to award anybody else the AL MVP over him so long as he’s healthy and an active player for the Angels. If we’re taking all factors into account, Trout is clearly the most outstanding player; the best player in baseball. If we’re taking all factors into account, the Angels (as a team) missed the postseason, which shouldn’t marginalize what Trout does as an everyday player, but will inevitably play a small factor into this decision.

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