Angels center fielder Mike Trout wins third Silver Slugger Award

Angels center fielder Mike Trout has won his third consecutive Silver Slugger Award, which is given to the best offensive players at each position in both the American and National Leagues.

Trout and Mike Piazza are the only players in major league history to win the award in each of their first three full big league seasons. The award has been presented annually since 1980. Trout is the second Angels player to win the award at least three times, joining Vladimir Guerrero, who won four from 2004 to 2007.

The 23-year-old Trout is also the youngest player to win the award three times and the fourth player in AL history to earn a Silver Slugger in three straight years while also stealing at least 15 bases each season, joining Julio Franco, Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez.

Trout hit .287 with a .377 on-base percentage and .561 slugging percentage in 2014, he set career highs with 36 home runs and 111 runs batted in and matched his career bests with 39 doubles and nine triples.

The three-time All-Star became the fourth player since 1901 with 115 runs scored, 35 doubles, five triples and 35 homers in his age-22 season or younger, joining Rodriguez (1998), Joe DiMaggio (1937) and Hal Trosky (1934).

The Silver Slugger Awards are determined by a vote of major league coaches and managers who were not allowed to vote for players on their own teams.

Twitter: @MikeDiGiovanna