Watch: LA Angels Star Mike Trout Shows Speed With 50th Triple Off Checked Swing

Mike Trout is easily one of baseball’s most popular names. Despite spending a majority of the 2021 season out on injury, Trout has marked his return to the league in style. Trout is delivering some impressive numbers for the Angels offensively. So imperious is his form that even some of his checked pitches are flying off the barrel. In what is a testament to his speed, too, Trout recently scored a triple against the Guardians on just a checked pitch.

With the Angels seeing the emergence of Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout performing in tandem, the season is evenly poised. And they seem to have done well so far. Registering a winning record, they sit 2nd in AL West within one game of the Mariners. Also, if Trout continues his form, that gap could fast disappear.

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Mike Trout registers a triple on a checked hit

Mike Trout may be a powerful hitter of the ball, but even he possibly never expected such an outcome. On home plate against the Guardians’ ace, Shane Bieber, Trout looked like he was simply checking the 85.7 mph slider, when he made contact for the ball to pop down the right-field line. It was then only a matter of speed, an attribute that Mike Trout has in droves, as he rounded the bases before stopping at third.

The ‘accidental’ contact set some other records too. Trout became only the third LA Angel to record 50 triples behind Jim Fregosi and Chone Figgins. And what’s more, the hit was the third softest hit pitch to run for a triple. With the ball recording a measly 57.4 mph on its exit velocity from Trout’s bat, Trout certainly capitalized on his speed to make this a triple.

And manager Joe Maddon recognized the effort the three-time AL MVP had put in. Said Maddon, “You have to be fast.”

The hit was also somewhat fortunate. It likely should have been fielded at first base, but ran past and was then a matter of Trout’s speed. Said Maddon, “It was perfectly placed. We don’t normally get those things, especially big guys. So it was nice to see.”

Despite the stellar run though, Trout was left stranded at third as the Angels put up scoreless innings. However, Trout will take some confidence into the games to follow with the Guardians after such a showing.

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With Trout’s return to form, do you think the LA Angels can challenge for the title this year? Or do you think they are simply a regular-season team that may yet fall short of the mark?