Amazing Angels OF Mike Trout keeps numbers crunchers busy

Almost as amazing as some of the things rookie outfielder Mike Trout is doing on the field for the Angels this season are some of the statistics being excavated to quantify his performance and place it into historical context.

The latest comes from ESPN researchers, who found that only two players since 1900 have had a batting average of at least .343, a slugging percentage of at least .551, and at least 10 homers and 23 stolen bases through the first 60 games of a season: Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson in 1985 and Trout this season.

Though Trout, 20, didn’t join the Angels until April 28, he leads the team and the American League in batting average (.348) and stolen bases (26). He also leads the Angels with a .403 on-base percentage and 54 runs in 61 games, and he ranks third on the team with 38 runs batted in.

Trout had two singles, two sacrifice flies, a walk, three stolen bases and two runs in the Angels’ 9-7, come-from-behind victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night. Since he was called up from triple-A Salt Lake, the Angels have a major league-best 40-23 record. They were 6-14 without Trout in April.

Trout also became the first player in franchise history to log at least 10 homers and 25 stolen bases before the All-Star break, and his 26 stolen bases tied the team’s rookie record before the All-Star break, set by Jerry Remy in 1975.

“He just does it in so many areas,” Manager Mike Scioscia said of Trout, who was selected as a reserve for the American League All-Star team on Sunday. “He’s doing it in the batter’s box, he’s doing it with the glove defensively, he’s doing it with his legs.

“For such a young guy, 20 years old, to come up and be able to do so many things in so many areas, it’s incredible.”

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