Mike Trout is the real deal

[angelinkc]

living near kc we had a chance to go to the all star game last season.  I bought my son a trout all star jersey and he became his favorite player. we went to the Angels royals series last September. before the infamous meltdown we waited for an hour and a half for an autograph. I was hoping someone would sign but little did I know my son was sure he was getting trouts signature. he passed on bobby Wilson and I was worried he would end up empty handed. that's when mike trout made his move. just minutes before the first pitch trout comes in and pretends to ignore everyone. seconds later he reappears and signals for my son and one other kid to throw him a ball. he grabs both balls disappears and returns the balls before first pitch.  my son almost fainted. I actually was worried about him because he was gasping for air. I have heard similar stories of trout doing similar things. if he or his family reads this sight I just want to say thank you and it is great to see a star remember the kids.

[Mudville]

Troutstanding post.

[Halos of Anaheim]

He's good, but not great (yet). He needs to stop shying away from pressure packed situations (I haven't seen him come through in important at bats this year, and metrics agree saying he is one of the top 5 least clutchest players in baseball). He's only 21 so he has a lot of time to start cementing himself as a big time player,  but right now he's just the guy who puts up his stats day in and day out.

[Brandon]

Party at Arthur Bryants.

[angelinkc]

he may not be the next mantle but from a distance he does seem to get it. really if he continues to make memories for the kids those things will long out live statistics. when I think back I don't remember players stats but I do remember how each player treated me passing by before the games. I do believe he has the potential to be legendary on and off field.

[ScottT]

There was a kid in KC that was pretty sick of Mike Trout by the end of the first game of that series last September... or he was sick of our fish hats, fatheads, and Troutgasms. 

[Scott34]

Thank you, Shirlock of the no shit variety.

[Ray McKigney]

What is the "infamous meltdown?"

[Ray McKigney]

Thank you, Shirlock of the no shit variety.

 

 I was thinking that "water is wet" would be just as appropriate a thread title. 

[angelinkc]

when we blew the lead with butler and perez last inning homers. pretty much sealed our fate.

[AZMike]

when we blew the lead with butler and perez last inning homers. pretty much sealed our fate.

 

Greinke had a shutout going, gave up one flukey single and gets lifted against his will. Frieri coughs up the game in four pitches.

 

That game pretty much guaranteed that Greinke would never return to Anaheim for anything less than $15M over market (which considering the Dodger are part of "the market" would have been a terrible decision)

[angelinkc]

I know it sucked but our family was so stoked about trout is was tough to be disappointed. after all, your 10 yr old son doesn't get a trout autograph every day. he was not that excited at all star weekend.

[Brandon]

I was at that game, just brutal.

[angelinkc]

yes it was. we moved down about three rows behind angels dugout to celebrate. we ended up on every highlight reel as perez rounded third. all the kc fans taunted us which kinda pissed me off. I have probably attended more royals games than most them.

[Brandon]

Yeah, I go to KC a few times a year. I was with a lot of family playfully talking smack. Royals fans are cool. They wanted to win, but were happy Greinke was doing well. I was even having beers and playful banter with other Royals fans.

Then I ate crow like I never have before. Inside I was kind of happy for them.

[Lifetime]

He's good, but not great (yet). He needs to stop shying away from pressure packed situations (I haven't seen him come through in important at bats this year, and metrics agree saying he is one of the top 5 least clutchest players in baseball). He's only 21 so he has a lot of time to start cementing himself as a big time player,  but right now he's just the guy who puts up his stats day in and day out.

lol WTH? Are you serious?

[AZMike]

He's good, but not great (yet). He needs to stop shying away from pressure packed situations (I haven't seen him come through in important at bats this year, and metrics agree saying he is one of the top 5 least clutchest players in baseball). He's only 21 so he has a lot of time to start cementing himself as a big time player,  but right now he's just the guy who puts up his stats day in and day out.

 

lol WTH? Are you serious?

 

After yesterday's game he's actually the very least clutch player in MLB according to Fangraphs. (7th inning 1st pitch GIDP with runners at first and third, strikeout in the 11th though admittedly that was BS)

 

 

Doesn't mean he isn't a great player though. Albert Pujols is the most clutch player on the Angels but Trout is a much better, and much more valuable player overall. 

[CalBears2013]

After yesterday's game he's actually the very least clutch player in MLB according to Fangraphs. (7th inning 1st pitch GIDP with runners at first and third, strikeout in the 11th though admittedly that was BS)

 

 

Doesn't mean he isn't a great player though. Albert Pujols is the most clutch player on the Angels but Trout is a much better, and much more valuable player overall. 

 

Can you quote/link to what metric or stat you're referring to? I do agree that he isn't very "clutch", and hasn't gotten that many "BIG" hits this year. But I find it hard to believe that he's last in the league

[AZMike]

Can you quote/link to what metric or stat you're referring to? I do agree that he isn't very "clutch", and hasn't gotten that many "BIG" hits this year. But I find it hard to believe that he's last in the league

 

There is actually a clutch stat. Basically it's the difference between how well a player does in high leverage situations ( situations in outcome of a play will have a big effect the probability a team will win or lose ), and how that same player does in general. 

[mulwin444]

Mike Trout is pretty much the reason the Angels are even within shouting distance of the playoffs...to say he's not "clutch" is pretty hilarious considering his HR put them ahead in the third and clutch "Pujols" left him stranded at 2B after his double in the 1st.

[mulwin444]

Sample size.

Exactly...plus there is no context.  Did he ground meekly?  Did he bloop a single over the IFers outstretched hands?  Did he rocket a ball that caught on an amazing play and then one of the Angels base runners got doubled off from being overly aggressive?  "Clutch" is about as nebulous as "heart" and "grit" at times.

[ScottT]

More importantly, it is not a skill.  It is not something you can expect any player to repeat year after year.  

[Stradling]

The idea that clutch only exists late in games is just dumb. Also the same reason I will still give RBI some value and credence.

[Brandon]

yeah, wtf is a clutch stat? doing your average or what is expected, but just a late game stat? lol.

I appreciate baseball math, but this is the kind of shit that drives me nuts with nerds.

[ScottT]

"Nerds" scoff at the notion of clutch