AL All-Star Report: Angels’ Trout Adds To Stacked CF Spot
The American League is a stacked spot in centerfield with several quality All-Star candidates frozen out by the omnipotence of Texas’ Josh Hamilton and the position got even more loaded this year by the surprise emergence of the Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout. The 20-year-old who didn’t do anything noteworthy in 123 at-bats last season got another chance when incumbent Peter Bourjos struggled, and Trout just took off. He’s hitting .338 and leading the American League. He’s got surprising power, with seven home runs keying a solid .531 slugging percentage and he plays good defense. Because of Hamilton, he’s not the best player at this spot, but his sudden development makes him the most consequential in the playoff race and Trout’s a worthy candidate to at least make a trip to Kansas City for the July 10 All-Star Game.