ANAHEIM, Calif. — Much of the national conversation surrounding Mike Trout has little to do with baseball. Will he ask for a trade? Why can’t the Angels build a playoff team around him? Can he stay healthy? All fair topics.
But on the field, Trout’s 2024 season has earned the same attention. He leads the majors with 10 home runs, and his five stolen bases in April are more than he’s recorded in a full season since 2019. It hasn’t all been perfect, though. His .230 batting average is very low by his standards. And Trout is just 2 for 22 with runners in scoring position.
Trout spoke with Athleticism Friday. He broke his attack. He leaned into his comfort up and down in the batter’s box. He talked about improving fastballs, hitting too many balls, being called out by manager Ron Washington and how he feels about those who doubt him.
Below you will find the full questions and answers.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.
You said the other day that you had times where you felt really comfortable in the box. And often, that’s not the case. Is this a product of the pitcher or just how you feel?
Just what I personally feel. When hitting, there is a feeling. You’re still trying to get that feeling, obviously. For me personally, it all depends on my setup. Whether it’s starting point weight, front and back weight, to get to where I’m gathering and loading, it’s in the right place. And when it’s good, I feel like I did before. When things aren’t going well, you see a lot of foul balls. There’s a lot of terrain that you don’t typically swing on. It’s kind of like – I love it. Because the difficulty is always real. People don’t see – obviously the hits and the home runs and everything else – but throwing together at-bat after at-bat after at-bat is the ultimate goal. For a long period. I want to experience this feeling as long as possible.
Do you feel like this feeling has been higher and lower than usual?
I think after how the season has gone so far, I think something has clicked in Miami. And then I kind of lost that feeling when we went to Boston. This two-week period where I felt really good. And then I don’t know if it was just a day off. Hitting is crazy. You realize, you watch the video, everything is fine. And then you watch a video – you feel like you’re doing the exact same thing every time. But sometimes your body does something you don’t see unless you watch the video.
Your whiff rate on fastballs is only 19.2 percent. This is much less than in recent years, when it was more of a problem. Was this an area of interest for you?
I think it’s about realizing that when I’m in a good place to throw my swing, my normal swing, I hit those pitches. And when I’m not in the right place, I swing under them. When I’m really good, my bat path, my swing is really short and fast. I can reach the balls. I can get the balls down. And if I get off course a little bit, that’s when my swing gets long. When I don’t have that tight swing feel, the bat dips a little bit, and that’s why I’m under everything.
Pitchers have been attacking you the same way for a long time. Fast balls. Do you feel like you’re making it harder for them now? Have you seen teams throwing high fastballs even more recently?
In recent years they have done the same thing. The most important thing for me – if you look at my career, I’m a good low ball hitter. I think when they throw something out there, for me personally, I can’t miss that throw. When I feel like my swing is fast and I can swing and my head isn’t moving, I feel like I can hit anything.
You hit the ball in the air a lot more. Your ground rates have dropped. What’s behind that?
It’s funny, people say that. People were asking me about it. I don’t think there’s anything different in terms of approach. I think it’s when my swing lengthens and I don’t have that full charge and I feel like I’m really connected. I feel like my barrel and bat are starting to fall a little, causing the bullets to go a little below and fly out.
So you’re not trying to do that at all?
No, I think I’m just trying to throw the ball. I’m not trying to hit the ball in the air.
The other night, after you struck out Craig Kimbrel to end the game, manager Ron Washington said he wished you’d taken a swing.
I think looking back on that particular fight, I was in a place where, obviously, looking at things now, I have to do everything I can to swing the stick. I felt the game was progressing slowly and I was like, “Something is wrong.” Sometimes from me you will see the checks swing. That’s when something goes wrong and I don’t recognize the terrain and my head moves.
But beyond that. It’s quite rare for a manager to suggest that you should have done something differently. Is this something you enjoy?
He is right. Everyone holds each other accountable in this clubhouse. He was absolutely right. You have to put the ball in play. Obviously, I wasn’t going up there not to swing. It was difficult for me to return to the field. It’s a typing chore that I don’t think people realize. You’re constantly trying to get that feeling with every keystroke.
You said before the season that people were putting you aside a little and that you were grateful for that. The fact that you have this debut, do you feel like you’re proving people wrong?
Mike Trout hits his 9th home run of the season! pic.twitter.com/rkiNeQwAYF
– MLB (@MLB) April 24, 2024
Personally, I always knew that when I’m on the field, I can put up numbers. The most important thing is just to be consistent. If I’m in a good spot at the plate and I’m healthy, I feel good, I can put up numbers against anybody.
Your runners in scoring position were an area of concern (2 of 22). This is clearly a small sample size, but I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this?
There were a handful of at-bats where I had the opportunity to drive in runs. And I didn’t succeed. It’s the start of the season. Obviously you want to run errands every time. I think going back to feeling, feeling good in those moments, is important to me. I know this is a small sample. I know that at the end of the year the numbers will be there.
You said the other night that you hated the word “mechanical” in the context of beatings. Why is that?
It’s feeling. Mechanics are more about DIY. Start higher, start lower. For me, it’s more of a feeling of weight. And small movements before the pitch. As in my configuration. If I’m in the right setup to hit, I can just make my natural swing and go from there.
Now that you have more stolen bases under your belt, how do you feel? Are you surprised by the success?
I know I would have the opportunity to get bases stolen. I think there’s a lot of chance. Guys who get to the plate fast are going to be tough. There are guys who have the high kick and throw like that, and you can get them easily.
Beyond people doubting you, has it been difficult in recent years to continue to receive questions about health and everything that happens off the field?
I don’t read any of that. I try to enjoy life as it is. I’m in a great situation at home. I try to block out the noise as much as possible. Obviously, you’re going to see stuff on TV and all that. I think if you keep that tunnel clear, with the path and a goal in mind, it’s good.
The Orioles optioned top MLB prospect Jackson Holliday on Friday. You have been in this position. Great young player sent down to the minors. What would you say to him?
Looking back on what I went through, it kind of helped me. Obviously, I didn’t want to be fired. But when I got fired, I kind of knew what to expect when I got the call back. Because you know he’s going to be recalled. I’m thinking of slowing down the game. Play freely. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. It’s big stuff. He is 20 years old. He’s a young child. It’s a big learning curve for him. He’s going to have an incredible career. Everyone can see it. For him, it’s just a learning curve.
(Top photo: Chris O’Meara / Associated Press)