Mike Trout
Three-time AL MVP and Los Angeles Angels franchise icon, Mike Trout carries a career wRC+ of 166 — 7th in baseball history — into his 16th MLB season. Still producing in center field at 34, his career OPS of .991 and 418 home runs cement his place among the sport's all-time greats.
Personal Information
Biography
From a 25th Pick in Millville to MLB's Greatest Rookie Season
Michael Nelson Trout was born August 7, 1991, in Vineland, New Jersey, and raised in nearby Millville, where his father Jeff played minor league baseball in the Twins organization. Mike Trout set a New Jersey high school home run record with 18 as a senior at Millville Senior High School and had committed to East Carolina University before the Los Angeles Angels took him 25th overall in the 2009 MLB Draft. He signed for a $1.215 million bonus and reached the majors after just two minor league seasons, debuting July 8, 2011, at 19 years and 335 days old. The next year changed everything. In 2012, Trout hit .326/.399/.564 with 30 home runs, 83 RBI, 129 runs and a league-leading 49 stolen bases, producing the greatest position-player WAR by a rookie in MLB history and winning AL Rookie of the Year unanimously. He finished second in MVP voting to Miguel Cabrera's Triple Crown season.
Nine Seasons That Redefined Greatness, and Three AL MVP Awards
From 2012 through the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Trout compiled 73.5 WAR, 297 home runs, a 1.008 OPS and 197 stolen bases over nine years, averaging more than 9 WAR per season across his first eight full campaigns. By the end of 2020, at age 29, his career WAR already exceeded the entire career totals of Derek Jeter (71.3), Gary Carter (70.1) and Tony Gwynn (69.2). He won AL MVP three times, in 2014, 2016 and 2019, though a strong case exists he should have won in 2012, 2013 and 2015 too, given his WAR edge over Miguel Cabrera and Josh Donaldson in those seasons. His career wRC+ of 166 ranks seventh all-time, ahead of Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Joe DiMaggio. In March 2019, fresh off that third MVP, he signed a 12-year, $426.5 million extension with the Angels, the largest contract in MLB history at the time, running through 2030.
382 Missed Games: The Injury Years That Tested the Legacy
The story turned in 2021, when a calf strain limited Trout to 36 games, his fewest ever. A back and rib injury cut into 2022, and a broken left hamate bone ended his 2023 season early. In 2024, a torn meniscus in late April was followed by a second tear in the same knee, requiring season-ending surgery in August after just 29 games. From 2021 through 2024, Trout missed 382 games combined. In 2025, the Angels shifted him to right field and then to designated hitter after another left knee injury, yet he still played his most games since 2019: 130, with a .232/.359/.439 line, 26 home runs, 64 RBI and a 120 wRC+. His 400th career home run, hit September 20, made him the Angels' all-time home run leader, and he passed Tim Salmon for second in franchise RBI behind Garret Anderson.
Back in Center Field: Mike Trout's 2026 Comeback
Entering 2026, new manager Kurt Suzuki, a former teammate, asked Trout where he wanted to play. He chose center field, the position he had left in 2024, and the Angels reworked his offseason training to ease the load on his legs. Through his first 34 games, Trout hit 10 home runs with a .983 OPS, including a stretch at Yankee Stadium where he went deep five times in four games, becoming the first visiting player to homer there on four straight days. Yankees manager Aaron Boone texted afterward that he had seen the real Mike Trout again. On April 6, a 94.2 mph fastball from Mariners reliever Casey Legumina hit him on the left hand in the eighth inning of an 8-7 Angels win. X-rays came back negative, and Trout returned to the lineup within two days. As of June 2026, with the season ongoing, he leads MLB with 56 walks while hitting .241/.412/.498 with 14 home runs, 31 RBI and five stolen bases.
The Ledger: Mike Trout's Career Stats and Hall of Fame Case Through
As of June 2026, with the season ongoing, Mike Trout's MLB career stats sit at roughly a .291 average, 1,800-plus hits, 418-plus home runs, 1,049-plus RBI and 219 stolen bases, with a career WAR above 90, the highest of any active player. His résumé includes three AL MVP Awards, nine Silver Slugger Award selections, 11 All-Star nods, the 2012 AL Rookie of the Year, three All-MLB First Team selections and two AL Hank Aaron Awards. His contract with the Angels runs through 2030, his age-38 season. The one gap is postseason success; his only playoff appearance came in the 2014 ALDS, a sweep by the Royals. None of that changes the math for Cooperstown. Mike Trout is widely regarded as a future first-ballot Baseball Hall of Fame selection, a center fielder whose nine-year peak and current resurgence both argue for a place among the position's all-time greats.
Mike Trout FAQs: Age, Stats, Injuries, Hall of Fame and More
how old is mike trout
Mike Trout was born on August 7, 1991, making him 34 years old as of June 2026. He turns 35 later this season.
how much is a mike trout rookie card worth
His rarest card, the 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Superfractor Autograph (1/1), sold for $3.936 million in 2022, one of the most expensive sports cards ever sold.
what happened to mike trout
On April 6, 2026, Trout was hit on the left hand by a 94 mph pitch against Seattle. X-rays came back negative and he returned within two days, going on to have a strong 2026 comeback in center field.
is mike trout a hall of famer
Not yet, he is still an active player. He is widely regarded as a future first-ballot Baseball Hall of Fame selection once he becomes eligible.
did mike trout retire
No. As of June 2026, Trout is active with the Los Angeles Angels and under contract through 2030.
when was mike trout drafted
The Angels selected Trout 25th overall in the first round of the 2009 MLB Draft out of Millville Senior High School.
did mike trout get traded
No. Trout has spent his entire 16-year career with the Los Angeles Angels since his 2011 debut, despite frequent trade rumors.
does mike trout have cancer
No, there are no reports of Trout being diagnosed with cancer. He has remained an active MLB player throughout 2026.
when will mike trout return
Trout is currently active and playing regularly for the Angels as of June 2026, leading MLB in walks this season.
how long is mike trout out for
Trout is not currently on the injured list. He returned from his April 2026 hand contusion within two days and has played consistently since.
how many games has mike trout missed in his career
From 2021 through 2024 alone, injuries cost Trout 382 games, the most significant stretch of missed time in his career.
does mike trout have a ring
No. Trout has never won a World Series and does not have a championship ring.
how many rings does mike trout have
Zero. Trout has yet to reach a World Series in his 16-year MLB career.
has mike trout ever made the playoffs
Yes, once. The Angels reached the 2014 ALDS, where they were swept 3-0 by the Kansas City Royals.
how many playoff games has mike trout played in
Three. All three came in the 2014 ALDS, where Trout hit .083 with one home run and one RBI.
what size bat does mike trout use
Trout swings an Old Hickory MT27 wood bat measuring 33.5 inches and 31.5 ounces, with a 2.5-inch barrel.
where did mike trout grow up
Trout grew up in Millville, New Jersey, where his father Jeff played minor league baseball.
does mike trout have a gold glove
No. Despite strong defensive numbers early in his career, Trout has never won a Gold Glove Award.
Career Timeline
Selected 25th overall in the 1st round of the MLB June Amateur Draft out of Millville Senior High School, New Jersey. Signed for a $1.215 million bonus.
Hit .362 with 45 stolen bases for the Cedar Rapids Kernels (A-Ball). Selected for the All-Star Futures Game. Won Topps Minor League Player of the Year — the youngest recipient ever at age 19.
Debuted July 8, 2011 vs. Seattle Mariners, age 19 years and 335 days. Won Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year after hitting .326/.414/.544 in Double-A. On July 24, became the first teenager to homer in the majors since Justin Upton in 2007.
Posted the highest position player WAR by a rookie in baseball history. Led AL in runs (129) and stolen bases (49). Hit .326/.399/.564 with 30 HR. Won AL Rookie of the Year unanimously. Won first Silver Slugger Award. Became youngest player in history to join the 30 HR / 45 SB club in a single season. Finished 2nd in AL MVP voting to Miguel Cabrera's Triple Crown year.
Won his first AL MVP Award, leading the majors in runs and finishing with .287/.377/.561, 36 HR, and an AL-leading 111 RBI. Also won the AL Hank Aaron Award and Silver Slugger. Only playoff appearance of his career: 2014 ALDS vs. Kansas City Royals — Angels lost 3–0.
Won second AL MVP Award, leading the AL in OBP (.441), runs (123), and walks (116). Received 19 of 30 first-place votes. Won fifth consecutive Silver Slugger Award.
Won third AL MVP Award with .291/.438/.645, a career-high 45 HR and 104 RBI. In March 2019, signed a 12-year, $426.5 million extension — the largest contract in MLB history at the time. Won AL Hank Aaron Award and Silver Slugger. Named All-MLB First Team.
Despite the COVID-shortened 60-game season, finished with career WAR exceeding the lifetime totals of Derek Jeter (71.3), Gary Carter (70.1), and Tony Gwynn (69.2) — all at age 29. Named All-MLB First Team. Won Silver Slugger.
Suffered a right calf strain in May, limiting him to just 36 games — fewest of his career. Despite the setback, hit .333 with 8 HR in games played. Selected to All-Star Game for 10th time but did not play due to injury.
Passed Tim Salmon for most career walks in Angels franchise history (971st walk, April 16). Hit .283/.369/.630 with 40 HR and .999 OPS in 119 games despite a torn left knee meniscus ending his season April 30. Won Silver Slugger and All-MLB First Team. Scored his 1,000th career run.
Elected as an All-Star starter for a record-tying 10th consecutive year, but suffered a broken left hamate bone on July 3 vs. San Diego Padres — played only 82 games total. Became just the 4th player all-time (alongside Bonds, Mays, A-Rod) with 300+ doubles, 300+ HR, and 200+ SB by age 31.
Led MLB with 10 HR before suffering a torn left knee meniscus in April — played only 29 games, a career low. Underwent surgery and missed the entire second half. Career-low games played in a non-shortened season.
Returned for 130 games (most since 2019), slashing .239/.393/.552 with 26 HR and 64 RBI. Hit his 400th career home run (Sept. 20) — became Angels all-time HR leader. Set Angels franchise record for most times hit by pitch (106), surpassing Brian Downing's mark of 105. Extended franchise record with 30th career multi-homer game.
Returned to center field for first time since 2024. Posted 168 wRC+ through first 25 games. Hit by Casey Legumina fastball (April 6) — hand contusion, X-rays negative, returned in 2 days. Through June 2026: .235 AVG, 14 HR, 31 RBI, 63 G. Career WAR reached 89.9 (Baseball Reference). Career totals: 418+ HR, 1,049+ RBI, .991 OPS — 5th all-time in JAWS among center fielders. Season ongoing.
