Al Kaline recently compared Mickey Mantle to Mike Trout. Both men are known for their bona fide five tools, but is the comparison true? Let’s see…

Both Trout and Mantle broke into the majors at 19. Trout played on 40 games in his 19-year-old season, while Mantle played 96.

Mantle played a full 142 games in 1952 at 20-years old. Trout missed the first month, and currently has 68 games under his belt this year. After 2 seasons (238 games), Mantle accumulated 890 at-bats. Over 108 games, Trout has 399. If Trout is similar to Mantle, his numbers would likely be a little lower to pretty close to half of Mantle’s numbers after his first two full seasons.

Home Runs and Doubles

Mantle collected 36 bombs and 48 doubles over his first 238 games. Trout counts 17 homers and 25 doubles in 108 games. Ruling: Comparable power

Average and On-base Percentage

Mantle was a .294 hitter over 238 games. Trout currently sports a .308 mark, not to mention an American League best .348 average this season. Mantle was more patient, however, with a .375 OBP compared to Trout’s .366. Ruling: Comparable average

Fielding

Splitting time between right fielder and center field, and one game at third base, Mantle was a .965 fielder. Split between all three outfield positions, Trout is a .979 fielder. Ruling: Trout may be better

Base running

Trout has 34 stolen bases already. Mantle had 12 after two seasons. Ruling: Give Trout more credit

The ultimate comparison will not be able to be made until after the season. Mantle finished third in MVP voting in his 20-year-old season. Trout, the league leader in batting average and stolen bases may well finish higher.

The Big Guy

*****Update*****An astute reader, marksackler, noted that Mantle tore his knee while playing right field in the 1951 playoffs. That injury impacted his speed.