Angels not ready to promote dynamic outfielder Mike Trout
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The more the Angels’ offense stagnates, the more fans clamor for Mike Trout, the dynamic outfield prospect who is tearing it up at triple-A Salt Lake, to be called up. But there was no indication from Manager Mike Scioscia on Wednesday that the Angels are considering such a move at this time.
“I don’t believe anything is imminent, but when you play at the level Mike is playing at now, you become more of a focal point of fans, the media and the organization,” Scioscia said.
“When a move is made depends on a lot of things. When you’re playing that well, you tend to push the door open for yourself, but right now he will continue to play [at Salt Lake] until something changes.”
The Angels, desperate for a spark last season, promoted Trout, then 19, from double-A Arkansas to the big leagues on July 8, and in two stints in Anaheim, Trout hit .220 with five homers and 16 runs batted in.
But in his first 19 games at Salt Lake this season, the speedy Trout is batting .419 (31 for 74) with a .483 on-base percentage, .649 slugging percentage, one homer, four doubles, five triples and 13 RBIs.
Trout would be a candidate to replace center fielder Peter Bourjos, who entered Wednesday night’s game against Tampa Bay with a .186 average and .222 OBP, or left fielder Vernon Wells, who is hitting .222 with a .234 OBP, three homers and six RBIs.
Scioscia said the Angels will promote Trout only if there is a significant role for him, and the manager does not appear ready to create an opening just yet.
“This team has some guys we feel are going to play at a higher level than they’ve showed the first couple weeks of the season,” Scioscia said. “If things continue to stagnate, we’ll put more weight on [a Trout] decision. But right now, we’re trying to find the identity of this team, and we’re not there yet.
“It’s not as simple as Mike Trout coming up and being the answer. He’s not the finished product. He’s still learning stuff every day. Where he is right now is where he needs to be.”
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