Mike Trout’s days as a middle fielder are over. The longer term Corridor of Famer revealed Monday that he and the Los Angeles Angels have made the choice to maneuver to proper subject in an effort to protect his physique. Trout has not performed a place apart from middle subject (and DH) since 2013. He has 17 profession video games in proper subject and none since 2012.
“Sort of simply do every little thing on the desk, as in what’s finest for me body-wise to maintain me on the sphere,” Trout informed reporters. “Got here to the conclusion that I am gonna go to proper subject. I prefer it. Strive it out. See the place it goes … I knew it was coming. Simply gotta get used to it. I simply need to be on the sphere.”
The Angels steered a place change a number of years in the past, although Trout was not prepared to maneuver out of middle subject on the time. He didn’t play after April 29 final season due to a meniscus tear and a subsequent setback. In September, Trout stated he was open to altering positions as a result of the accidents have continued piling in recent times.
Trout, 33, has performed solely 266 of 648 doable common season video games the final 4 years, or 41%. He doesn’t have one power damage that retains pops up. He is missed time a calf pressure, again irritation, a damaged hamate, after which final yr’s torn meniscus. It is a new damage yearly. Trout and the Angels hope the place change retains him on the sphere.
Heart subject is a younger participant’s place as a result of there’s a lot working concerned. It isn’t simply the balls the middle subject himself should go get. The middle fielder additionally has to again up on virtually each ball hit to left or proper subject. If the ball is hit to the outfield, the middle fielder is concerned in a roundabout way. That is not at all times true with left and proper fielders.
Lorenzo Cain, Adam Duvall, Brett Gardner, Kevin Kiermaier, and Michael A. Taylor are the one gamers to begin even 50 video games in middle subject at age 33-plus during the last 4 years. Cain, Duvall, and Kiermaier are the one three with greater than 100 begins in middle throughout that point. That is complete throughout the 4 years, not simply in a single season.
With Trout shifting to proper subject, Mickey Moniak is the plain candidate to take over in middle. Jo Adell additionally has middle subject expertise, although his protection grades out poorly. Jorge Soler is locked in at DH and Taylor Ward is entrenched in left subject. Luis Rengifo also can play the outfield, if wanted.
Trout hit .220/.325/.541 with 10 homers in 29 video games earlier than his season ended final yr. When he is been on the sphere, he is been very productive. He simply is not on the sphere all that always nowadays. The Angels misplaced a franchise file 99 video games in 2024. It was their ninth consecutive dropping season.
