Fansided

Top 25 MLB batting seasons of all time

By Joshua Sadlock

American baseball player George Herman Ruth (1895 - 1948) known as 'Babe' Ruth. (Photo by MPI/Getty Images)
American baseball player George Herman Ruth (1895 - 1948) known as 'Babe' Ruth. (Photo by MPI/Getty Images) /
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May 19, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) looks on prior to the game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) looks on prior to the game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Mike Trout, 2012

  • The Numbers: .326/.399/.564, 30 homers, 49 steals, AL Rookie of the Year

No one in MLB history has been better at a younger age than Mike Trout, and his rookie season in 2012 announced to the world that he was going to live up to the hype and then some. Trout posted the highest single-season WAR of any player 22 and under. His well-rounded year kicked off a debate in the MVP voting. Ultimately, Miguel Cabrera won for his Triple Crown, but Trout had the better season by all of the advanced metrics.

Trout’s rookie year showed he was about to take over the league for good. In his rookie season, he led the major leagues in runs and stolen bases and the American League in OPS+ and position-player WAR. The 2012 season is still Trout’s highest WAR season, although he may change that this season.

This near-MVP season for Trout may not measure up against some of the other great offensive seasons in MLB history in terms of the overall counting stats, but it is so much more impressive because of his age. The best month of the year for Trout came in July when he batted .392/.455/.804 with ten home runs and 23 RBI. Ultimately, the rookie wore down just a bit in August and September, which cost him the MVP and his team a playoff spot.

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