It’s a new season in Major League Baseball, and while plenty has changed within the Los Angeles Angels organization with the departure of Shohei Ohtani and a new manager in Ron Washington, some things seemingly never change. And that is the excellence that comes from superstar center fielder Mike Trout when he’s in the batter’s box.
Trout homered in the first inning of Tuesday’s 6-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, his first two-run shot of the season but his sixth home run overall. His six home runs is tied for the Major League lead, but it also gave him an Angels franchise record of the fastest to six homers (11 games). The previous record was five in 11 games, set by Trout in 2019, Troy Glaus in 2001, Tim Salmon in 1995 & 1998 and Brian Downing in 1987.
The Angels star has been remarkable to begin the 2024 season. Through 11 games, he is slashing .293/.370/.780/1.150 with six homers, a triple and eight RBI. Washington spoke about what Trout has brought to the Halos to begin the season, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com:
“When they’ve been making mistakes, he’s been making them pay,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “And even in his second at-bat, he just missed one. He hung a breaking ball but he just didn’t get there. But he’s swinging the bat well.”
Trout’s excellence is more than well documented. It is historic, and it is guaranteed to land him in the Hall of Fame on his first ballot. He is one of the greatest players to ever step on a baseball field, and even after an injury-filled, down 2023 season, he bounces right back and proves that he has not slowed down.
And although the Angels are going to have to fight to maintain and above .500 record — 6-5 after Tuesday’s loss — Trout’s brilliance gives the Halos hope that they can succeed in spite of all the projections heading into the season.
Tyler Anderson sets another Angels record
While Trout is breaking records with his power at the plate, starting pitcher Tyler Anderson has been breaking Angels records on the mound. With his performance on Monday, he became the first pitcher in Halo history to begin a season with back-to-back starts of seven or more innings without allowing a run.
It helped lift the Angels to a 7-1 win over the Rays on Monday, and they’ll now have a chance to win the season series in a day game on Wednesday.