http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110709&content_id=21662972&vkey=news_ana&c_id=ana
07/09/11 9:22 PM ET
Trout notches first career hit
ANAHEIM -- On his second day as a Major League Baseball player, smiles slipped across Mike Trout's face just as easily as they did on his first day.
The Angels' 19-year-old phenom started in center field and hit ninth once again against Seattle on Saturday. MLB.com's top-ranked prospect entering 2011 recorded his first career hit in the third inning after going 0-for-3 with two groundouts Friday.
Everything has happened so quickly for Trout after he hopped on a plane and departed from Arkansas on Friday.
"It hasn't sunk in yet, but I'm sure it will," he said. "It's a great group of guys, I love them all. I'm just up here having fun."
Though Trout was unable to tally a hit in his first Major League game, he did provide exactly what manager Mike Scioscia and the Angels were looking for: top-notch defense in center field. It's particularly important, considering the man Trout is replacing due to injury -- Peter Bourjos -- was playing at a Gold-Glove-caliber level all season. In particular, the Millville, N.J., native provided a highlight-reel play when he tracked down a Franklin Guttierez shot at the warning track in right-center that would have likely been at least a double.
Former outfielder Tim Salmon, known by many as "Mr. Angel" for his 14 seasons with the club, said Trout's demeanor has impressed him.
"He's 19 years old playing in the big leagues for the first time. But, nonetheless, I still think the way he carries himself -- he doesn't look overmatched, he doesn't look intimidated," Salmon said. "I think those are all great things that you look for in anybody that gets called up, especially someone his age."
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
07/09/11 9:22 PM ET
Trout notches first career hit
ANAHEIM -- On his second day as a Major League Baseball player, smiles slipped across Mike Trout's face just as easily as they did on his first day.
The Angels' 19-year-old phenom started in center field and hit ninth once again against Seattle on Saturday. MLB.com's top-ranked prospect entering 2011 recorded his first career hit in the third inning after going 0-for-3 with two groundouts Friday.
Everything has happened so quickly for Trout after he hopped on a plane and departed from Arkansas on Friday.
"It hasn't sunk in yet, but I'm sure it will," he said. "It's a great group of guys, I love them all. I'm just up here having fun."
Though Trout was unable to tally a hit in his first Major League game, he did provide exactly what manager Mike Scioscia and the Angels were looking for: top-notch defense in center field. It's particularly important, considering the man Trout is replacing due to injury -- Peter Bourjos -- was playing at a Gold-Glove-caliber level all season. In particular, the Millville, N.J., native provided a highlight-reel play when he tracked down a Franklin Guttierez shot at the warning track in right-center that would have likely been at least a double.
Former outfielder Tim Salmon, known by many as "Mr. Angel" for his 14 seasons with the club, said Trout's demeanor has impressed him.
"He's 19 years old playing in the big leagues for the first time. But, nonetheless, I still think the way he carries himself -- he doesn't look overmatched, he doesn't look intimidated," Salmon said. "I think those are all great things that you look for in anybody that gets called up, especially someone his age."
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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