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Showing posts with the label Mike Trout

2018 Positional Top 10: Centerfield

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Matt Linder The centerfield position has an interesting mix of players.  It is spearheaded by an all-time great and followed by a blend of emerging stars and breakout performers.  The players ooze with athleticism, making it one of the most exciting positions in baseball.  Enjoy! Frank Jansky - Icon Sportswire 1. Mike Trout Trout is the best player in baseball. Period.  He has won two MVPs, finished second three other times (at least two of which he was robbed) and he is only 26 years old.  Had he played a full season in 2017, the Angels’ centerfielder would have likely won a third MVP award.  It is almost a waste of time to provide the specific stats and slashlines for Trout.  Just go to his Baseball Reference page and check out all of the bold print. Denis Poroy - Getty Images 2. Charlie Blackmon The Rockies’ centerfield was a late bloomer.  He didn't become an everyday player until his age 27 seas...

They're still King: Harper & Trout's milestone nights

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Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 NBC Sports This is not the first you've heard of Bryce Harper and Mike Trout, and it certainly won't be the last. But every so often we all need a reminder of the what we are actually watching. Last night was a stark reminder of the incredible nature of both these players as their careers continue to and forever will be linked to each other. On a first pitch breaking ball from Miami's Odrisamer Despaigne, Bryce Harper destroyed his 29th home run of the season and 150th of his career. In doing so he became the third fastest active player to 150 dingers in terms of games played. Harper reaches the milestone in his age 24 season, becoming the 14th player in baseball history to do so. He joins an elite list that includes the names of Eddie Matthews, Jimmie Fox, Alex Rodriguez and current stars such as Giancarlo Stanton, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout. Harper has already surpassed his home run totals from last year and leads the nation...

The Kids are Alright: Aaron Judge & Cody Bellinger

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By Patrick Zeng @ Roundtripper891 Much has been made about baseball's lack of star appeal. Even with players such as Mike Trout & Bryce Harper, it has been a struggle for baseball's best to gain traction for a national audience. And while this will always be somewhat of the case as baseball lends itself much more to a regional audience than a national one, two new stars may just break down that regional barrier. Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge are lighting the baseball world on fire with their seasons thus far. Stationed in two of the largest media markets in the country, the two are set to make it big. At the end of last season, there seemed to be a hung jury on projecting the outlook of Aaron Judge. The 6'7" outfielder showed flashes of power, but struck out in 50% of his at bats compiling a .179 batting average. But this season has been nothing short of incredible for the towering right fielder. Judge has slugged his way to a major league leading 26 home run...

The Faceless State of Baseball

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By Patrick Zeng @ Roundtripper891 With this week marking the occasion of the Yankees retiring Derek Jeter's iconic #2, much has been made of the fact that baseball has not had a true "face" since the Yankee captain hung up his cleats in 2014. Even with the likes of Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Clayton Kershaw and Kris Bryant dominating the game in markets all over the country, baseball has struggled to establish one star that shines above the rest. But they don't need one, because baseball differs from leagues like the NFL and NBA. Both these leagues are required to market their stars for they have so much more of an influence over a game than one MLB player. Players like LeBron James have the ability to score ten straight points for their team while Carlos Correa only comes up to bat once every nine players. The NFL and especially the NBA are much more individualistic leagues, so of course their star power is much more easily marketed. Debate always seems to center...