Trout's K/BB ratio has improved considerably

[NrM]

2016: 16% BB and 20% K,  4 point difference

2015: 13.5% BB and 23.2% K, 10 point difference 

2014: 11% BB and 26.1% K, 15 point difference

 

He's always finding ways to improve his game, even when he's already the best.

[AngelsLakersFan]

He is still moving into his prime.

That said I think there is an element of lineup protection, or lack thereof, affecting his walk rates.

[tdawg87]

Tomorrow: 0-5, 5 K's, 0BB

[arch stanton]

2 hours ago, AngelsLakersFan said:

He is still moving into his prime.

That said I think there is an element of lineup protection, or lack thereof, affecting his walk rates.

You mean like in 2013 when Pujols missed significant time and Trout led the league in walks?

[WeatherWonk]

5 hours ago, arch stanton said:

You mean like in 2013 when Pujols missed significant time and Trout led the league in walks?

Whomever hit behind him at that point in 2013 (I cant remember whom), was probably even less feared than Albert. Even more motivation by the opposing team to simply walk Trout.

Maybe your agreeing with the premise, but I doubt it.

[arch stanton]

At that time there was no reason to throw Trout anything to hit. Despite what jaded Angels fans have put into their minds, even now Pujols is relatively feared but at that time it was believed that Trout could be pitched to with fastballs up in the zone. The 330 or so strikeouts in '14 and '15 back that up. This season he's striking out less and often punishing those high fastballs so the red lights are whirring away in pitching coach offices around the league. There's certainly no one on the Angels and likely no one in the league who could hit behind him and make it worth pitching to him when he has a chance to do damage.

[Billy_Ball]

7 hours ago, tdawg87 said:

Tomorrow: 0-5, 5 K's, 0BB

I was really expecting David Freese and Matt Joyce to have a monster series.

[AngelsLakersFan]

14 hours ago, arch stanton said:

You mean like in 2013 when Pujols missed significant time and Trout led the league in walks?

Yes

[AngelsLakersFan]

8 hours ago, arch stanton said:

At that time there was no reason to throw Trout anything to hit. Despite what jaded Angels fans have put into their minds, even now Pujols is relatively feared but at that time it was believed that Trout could be pitched to with fastballs up in the zone. The 330 or so strikeouts in '14 and '15 back that up. This season he's striking out less and often punishing those high fastballs so the red lights are whirring away in pitching coach offices around the league. There's certainly no one on the Angels and likely no one in the league who could hit behind him and make it worth pitching to him when he has a chance to do damage.

Trout's wRC+ by year:

2012: 167 

2013: 176 (high walk rate during Pujols time out)

2014: 167

2015: 172

2016: 172

Trout may be getting better but his stats have been remarkably consistent.

How about Albert Pujols wRC+ and Mike Trout's walk rate during that same stretch:

2012: 133 / 10.5%

2013: 112 / 15.4%

2014: 124 / 11.8%

2015: 116 / 13.5%

2016: 103 / 16%

So what looks to be more likely? That Trout is simply getting better, or that teams are fearing the guy on deck less and less? The outlier before this year in 2013 is proof enough that teams are very aware of the guy hitting behind Trout.

 

 

[Stradling]

When you're the best in the league there's no protecting you in the line up.  It's no different than when Vlad was here except with Vlad you couldn't protect him because he swung at all the pitches. 

[ScottT]

This year compared to last year. He's walking more, but you could say he's been more aggressive.  

• Swinging at fewer pitches outside the zone
• Swinging at more pitches inside the zone (57.3% vs 53.6%... career high was 55.1% in 2014)
• Making more contact on pitches outside the zone
• Making more contact on pitches inside the zone
• Line drive percentage is up slightly
• Hard hit ball percentage is down slightly

[AngelsLakersFan]

12 minutes ago, Stradling said:

When you're the best in the league there's no protecting you in the line up. 

I disagree. Teams will pitch around the best hitter in the league when they are better off facing the next batter with an additional runner on base instead.

[nikkachez]

Heck, has even improved his arm!

[NrM]

Just wanted to apologize for jinxing trout. quick.. someone make a trout sucks post.

[CaliAngel]

It should. As he matures and develops it only makes sense he should be better at not striking out.

You don't need to apologize for that, the only person that needs to apologize is that one kid who's mom took a picture of him with Pujols and then posted it here. I think that pretty much sealed Pujols as sub .300 hitter in an Angel uniform for life.

[Docwaukee]

58 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Just wanted to apologize for jinxing trout. quick.. someone make a trout sucks post.

Trout mini slumps suck.  

[John Stellman]

On 6/3/2016 at 7:57 PM, Mr Meeseeks said:

2016: 16% BB and 20% K,  4 point difference

2015: 13.5% BB and 23.2% K, 10 point difference 

2014: 11% BB and 26.1% K, 15 point difference

 

He's always finding ways to improve his game, even when he's already the best.

He's swinging at a lot more first pitches than he did last year,  Pitchers have learned they can't throw first pitch strikes.  That gives Trout  more hitter's counts to work with.

[NrM]

On 6/3/2016 at 7:57 PM, Mr Meeseeks said:

2016: 16% BB and 20% K,  4 point difference

2015: 13.5% BB and 23.2% K, 10 point difference 

2014: 11% BB and 26.1% K, 15 point difference

 

He's always finding ways to improve his game, even when he's already the best.

his Walk percentage is down to 14% and his K percentage is down to 18%.

In the month of June he's at 13% BB and 14% K. This means he's putting the ball in play far more often.  The hits haven't been falling though. .283 BABIP in the month of June. Way off from his career BABIP of .355. His low BABIP could be because he's making weaker contact or he's just been unlucky. Probably a little bit of both.

I'll let @Inside Pitch look up his line drive rates and stuff, since I know he's all about that.