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MLB power rankings: Best player on each team

By Brad Berreman

Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during the game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during the game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Angels: OF Mike Trout

When putting together a list of the best player on each MLB team, there’s no more obvious a player than Trout for the Angels. Over five full major league seasons now, he has never finished below second in MVP voting (two wins) with a matching handful of All-Star selections and Silver Slugger Awards.

After trending down in stolen bases during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, and obviously running less, Trout swiped 30 bases in 37 attempts last year. Adding steals back to his other offensive production keeps Trout among the elite players in all of baseball, with a building track record which puts him among all-time greats.

I could list all the advanced metrics that hold Trout in high regard, but that would threaten the length of War and Peace or any notable Stephen King novel that was made into a movie. I’ll just set out Wins Above Replacement (WAR) as evidence, with Trout posting a 10.5 WAR (Baseball Reference version) last year and at least a 9.3 WAR in four of the last five seasons.

The Angels would surely like to have at least another handful of Trouts in their every day lineup, even though it’s not possible. But there’s no doubt he’s the team’s best player, and almost inarguably the best player in all of baseball this year.

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