How Mike Trout Can Get Even Better

Mike Trout is the best baseball player of the century so far. But how could he get even better? Have we seen peak Mike Trout yet?

OF Mike Trout is undoubtedly the best baseball player of the 21st century. He even makes a strong case for best player ever — no player has ever accumulated more WAR through their age-24 season than Trout. Not Ty Cobb, not Mickey Mantle, not Alex Rodriguez — it’s Mike Trout.

It’s even more astonishing when you consider the fact that most players peak physically around the ages of 27–30, it’s likely that we haven’t even seen the best of Trout yet. Could Trout get even better? How?

He starts stealing even more bases

Keith Allison/Flickr

Trout led the AL in stolen bases in 2012 with 49, displaying exemplary speed, but his speed had gradually declined since then. While he picked up the slack in 2016, swiping 30 bags, he only stole 27 between 2014 and 2015 combined. He’s spoken about his desire to hit 40 SB again in 2017, but why stop there? Hugh Nicol stole 138 stolen bases in 1887, which seems like a great starting point for Trout. Maybe Trout can ease his way into breaking the record, and limit himself to 137 next season.

He learns how to pitch

If Otani can do it, why not him?

Trout has already demonstrated his fantastic arm while playing center field with the Angels. But I’d argue that his arm is being wasted — why bother with the outfield when the Angels are in such desperate need of starting pitching? Spring training is the perfect time to learn a new position, so let Trout learn how to pitch! In no time at all, he’ll be making Shohei Otani look like Jered Weaver.

He Creates a Cure for Cancer

Med-School, Schmed-school.

Trout is one of the best players on the field today, possibly ever. But what about off the field? Trout’s baseball IQ is off the charts, so it only makes sense that his actual IQ is sky-high as well. There’s little doubt in my mind that Trout could easily create a cure for cancer — the only question is if it’ll take one off-season or two.

He becomes a Superhero

He’s got the physique. He’s got the name (“The Millville Meteor” — you could sell Marvel on a movie franchise with the name alone). All that’s missing is the superpowers, but Trout is only one radioactive-waste-accident away from fighting crime. And don’t even bother asking if he’ll use his newfound powers for evil instead of good — with a smile like this, I know exactly whose side he’s on.

He becomes a literal god

Okay, maybe this is a bit of a stretch. But think about it — he’s already an Angel, so this is naturally the next step in Trout’s evolution. And let’s be real, Trout is already a baseball god, so he has plenty of experience for the position. If the man upstairs decides to take a break, I know exactly to whom he’ll turn.