The Millville Meteor is all set to splash this year! Mike Trout fared poorly in the last 4-5 years due to injuries and being limited to just 29 games last year. Now he will be the familiar face for the Angels to take up a new position in 2025. While Trout is a bona fide legend and still considered one of the biggest brands of the Angels, his last few injury-ridden seasons are just the shadow of his prime. 

Reportedly Mike Trout will be seen as a right fielder this year shifting from his staple centerfield. Speculations are rife that Trout will face fewer body strains working from the right. This reduced workload will help him to be in good shape as a slugger. However, more than his new position, it is the commitment Trout shows toward his team that caught the Angels’ GM Perry Minasian’s attention. So will the positional change make Mike Trout regain his form? 

Since his debut in 2011, Mike Trout has been playing for the Angels, and till 2019, he was averaging 35 homers and 92 RBI a year. However, his graph started going south in 2020 with getting prone to injuries, and he ended up scoring a mere 10 homers and 14 RBIs last year. Well, Trout is not just walking away, and what can be more triggering than getting questioned for performance? Reminiscent of the vintage Trout style, he is not shying away; rather, he opted for a conversation with the Angels GM and initiated the required positional changes. 

“Mike Trout would put on catching gear if you asked him. That’s the type of person he is,” Miansian said during a conversation with the MLB Network. Trout’s commitment is what makes the GM visibly satisfied. GM’s statement also indicates the extent to which Trout will go to prove his worth to the team, and shifting to the right field is just another example of his commitment. With moving to the right field, Mike Trout will need to cover less ground and will stay fit for hitting the ball over the park. 

Rejuvenated Mike Trout is on the way

Trout himself knows the urgency to make a comeback—he’s played only 111 games over the last two seasons and hasn’t hit the 140-game mark since 2016. “I’m not going to limit myself,” Trout said. “I can still play the game hard. That’s the only way I know how to play… the last few years have been tough,” he acknowledged recently. Well, Trout still has some more home runs to hit, albeit with less workload on the field. The solution—placing him at the right and utilizing his hitting abilities as a DH! 

Reportedly, with Trout moving to the right, the Angels will use a combination of Jo Adell, Mickey Moniak, and Taylor Ward in the center. Miansian’s comment also indicates that the team is looking to tap into the hitting abilities of Trout this year. Hence, playing him as a DH is the best opportunity. Trout’s desperation to make a comeback and the Angels’ consideration to make Trout perform to his best is what defines the camaraderie between the two.

This year, fans can expect to witness some mad hitting again from Mike Trout. It’s just about time that he gets back to his prime, albeit from a new position. What do you think about Trout’s potential this year? Share your thoughts with us below.