ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mike Trout is getting back to the fun of aggressive base running.
The last time that Trout stole more than two bases in his major league career was in 2019 when he closed the year with 11. From 2020-23, he collected a total of six stolen bases – a stark contrast from the base runner he used to be. But, that could be about to change.
Today, against the Boston Red Sox, Trout matched his 2023 stolen base total of two, snagging his second stolen base of the 2024 season in just nine games and getting back to the base running philosophy that made him a scoring threat his rookie year.
When asked what he saw in Trout’s baserunning on Sunday, Angels manager Ron Washington said simply, it was “awesome.”
“We want to run the bases, and he did it.”
In his first full season with the Angels in 2012, the 11-time All-Star and three-time AL MVP recorded 49 stolen bases, but over the past five years, his stealing success and aggression on the bases has been significantly limited, in part because of his injury history.
According to ESPN, Trout is ready to get back on track and has set his sights on stealing more than 20 bases this year, a goal that would get him closer to his 2016 record when he logged 30 bases in 159 games.
Washington said that Trout’s approach today is indicative of one of the team’s major goals moving forward, which is to keep the game competitive with offensive speed and skill.
“We were down in the game at the time, but the opportunity was there and he took it,” said Washington. “That’s what we want to do. Take advantage of opportunities when they are there.”
Despite Trout’s success on the bases today, the Angels dropped their series finale against Boston with a 12-2 loss. In his second start of the season, Chase Silseth struggled to keep his velocity up deep into the game, allowing three solo home runs to David Hamilton, Rafael Devers and Tyler O’Neill in the third inning. His outing today mirrored his first start in Miami on April 1 when he took a no decision after pitching three innings and allowing four runs on five hits, two walks and five strikeouts.
“It’s early. I’m just trying to work through some things. I felt pretty good, but it just wasn’t coming out,” said Silseth, who took his first loss of the season.
José Cisnero, José Suarez and Guillermo Zuñiga took over on the hill, allowing a combined nine runs that were more than enough to overpower a quiet Angels offense. Outside of Trout’s fourth home run, which was launched 372 feet into left field, and a wild pitch that allowed Matt Thaiss to score, the Angels were unable to capitalize on their eight hits, leaving nine runners on base. Their record now sits at 5-4 going into another three-game homestand against the Tampa Bay Rays.
