Jered Weaver is going to wear No. 27 with the Padres because he wants to hit like Mike Trout

at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Harry How)

Jered Weaver racked up 150 victories and three top-five Cy Young Award finishes with the Angels, but he collected only four singles, with the last coming back in 2012. Not too surprising considering that he's, you know, a pitcher in the American League. But when it came time to pick out his number after signing with the Padres, Weaver knew the best person to emulate: Mike Trout and his No. 27.

Players choosing the number of a player they grew up idolizing isn't very strange. Choosing the number of your ex-teammate that is nine years younger? That's a little different.

"I figured I've got to hit [with the Padres]," the hurler told MLB.com's AJ Cassavell. "I went Mike Trout on them, so maybe that'll help with my hitting. The numbers were slim pickings. I texted Trout and asked him if it was OK. He said he couldn't wait to see 27 on my back."

While Weaver did put together an epic two-game hitting streak in 2010, if the right-hander comes out of Spring Training showing off power, speed and a patient batting eye, I think we'll know: It's not the player that has won two MVP awards and finished second three other times -- it's the number.