With the arrival of 2025, baseball insiders are beginning to make bold predictions for the upcoming season.
MLB.com released a column this week predicting that Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout will have an MVP-caliber season.
Rhett Bollinger writes, “The prediction is that Trout finally stays healthy and puts together his first full season since 2019, positioning himself as a serious AL MVP contender. The plan is for Trout, now 33, to play more in the corner outfield to maintain his health, and he’ll have a 40-homer season while being more aggressive on the bases.”
Most of Trout’s recent injuries, like his 2024 knee issue and a hamate fracture in 2023, were attributed to bad luck, but this season is expected to be different. Signed through 2030, Trout is eager to prove he still has plenty of elite years ahead of him.
Trout, who is recovering from two knee surgeries, is “ready to go,” according to manager Ron Washington.
“He’s ready to go,” Washington told MLB Network. “Before his knee injury, he was ready. I still see him doing things that 80 percent of players in the league can’t do.”
Injuries have plagued Trout’s career in recent years. Between 2021 and 2024, he played in only 266 out of 648 games, missing more than half of the season. He’s now considering a position change to help with his ongoing health concerns, though this hasn’t been officially discussed yet.
Trout had mentioned earlier in 2024 that he would be open to switching positions or becoming a designated hitter if it benefits the team.
“We haven’t had that discussion yet,” Washington said about the potential position change. “We’re still figuring out what our roster will look like and preparing for spring training. If adjustments are needed, we’ll address them then. But we haven’t sat down for that conversation yet.”
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