Career Timeline of Mike Trout: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Mike Trout built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Mike Trout is a highly acclaimed MLB outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels. Celebrated as one of baseball's all-time greats and the best of his generation, he boasts an impressive career, marked by 11 All-Star selections, 3 AL MVP awards, and 9 Silver Slugger Awards. Trout also led the United States national team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, solidifying his status as a dominant force in the sport.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1934: Trout tied Major League record.

Mike Trout's 34 runs scored in July 2012 tied the Major League rookie record with Cleveland Indians first baseman Hal Trosky in 1934.

1936: DiMaggio drove in runs

In July 2012, Mike Trout also became the first rookie to drive in at least 55 runs and score 80 runs in 81 games since Joe DiMaggio in 1936.

1964: Rookie accomplishments

On September 21, 2012, Mike Trout became the first rookie to score 120 or more runs since Ichiro Suzuki and the fourth rookie to accomplish that feat since 1964.

1972: César Cedeño record

In 2012, Mike Trout became the youngest player ever to hit at least 20 home runs and steal at least 40 bases in a season. Houston Astros center fielder César Cedeño had been the youngest player to accomplish the feat, doing so in 1972.

1983: Jeff Trout Drafted by Minnesota Twins

In 1983, Jeff Trout, Mike Trout's father, was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the fifth round as a second baseman.

2001: Games in 2012

In 2012, Mike Trout scored three runs that day, the tenth time in the 2012 season that he scored three or more runs in one game, the most since Sammy Sosa's 11 games in 2001.

2001: Rookie of the Month Award

In August 2012, Trout became the first American League rookie since Ichiro Suzuki in 2001 to win Rookie of the Month four times during a single season.

2004: Position player WAR above 10.0

According to Baseball-Reference.com, in 2012, Mike Trout finished with a wins above replacement (WAR) value of 10.9, 2.4 better than second-place finisher Robinson Canó of the Yankees. Trout was the first position player to have a WAR above 10.0 since Barry Bonds for the San Francisco Giants in 2004.

2005: Angels player leading the league in stolen bases

Mike Trout became the first Angels player to lead the league in stolen bases in 2012 since Chone Figgins did so in 2005.

2007: Played in Perfect Game WWBA Championships

In 2007, Mike Trout played in the Perfect Game WWBA Championships in Jupiter, Florida with Tri-State Arsenal.

2008: Played in Perfect Game WWBA Championships

In 2008, Mike Trout played in the Perfect Game WWBA Championships in Jupiter, Florida with Tri-State Arsenal.

2009: Pre-Draft College Commitment

Before the 2009 MLB Draft, Mike Trout had committed to play baseball at East Carolina University.

2009: Started Professional Career

In 2009, Mike Trout began his professional career with the Arizona Angels and later played for the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

2009: Drafted by Angels

In 2009, Mike Trout was selected by the Angels in the first round of the MLB draft.

2010: Topps Minor League Player of the Year Award

After the 2010 season, Mike Trout received the Topps Minor League Player of the Year Award and was named a Baseball America All-Star and a Topps Class A All-Star.

2010: Played for Cedar Rapids and Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

In 2010, Mike Trout played for the Cedar Rapids Kernels and was later promoted to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. He also played in the All-Star Futures Game.

July 8, 2011: Angels Promotion and Major League Debut

On July 8, 2011, the Los Angeles Angels promoted Mike Trout to replace Peter Bourjos, marking his major league debut. He went 0-for-3 in his debut game.

August 1, 2011: Sent Back to Double-A Arkansas

On August 1, 2011, Mike Trout was sent back to Double-A Arkansas after hitting .163 in 12 starts for the Angels.

August 19, 2011: Recalled by the Angels

On August 19, 2011, Mike Trout was recalled by the Angels and hit a home run in his first game back at Angel Stadium.

2011: Minor League Player of the Year

For the 2011 season, Mike Trout was named Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year. He also was named an outfielder on Baseball America's 2011 Minor League All-Star team.

2011: Major League Appearance

In 2011, Mike Trout made a brief major league appearance.

2011: Played for Arkansas Travelers

In 2011, Mike Trout played for the Arkansas Travelers and was ranked as a top prospect.

November 12, 2012: BBWAA Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award

On November 12, 2012, Mike Trout received the BBWAA Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award. He received all 28 first-place votes, becoming the youngest player to win the AL Rookie of the Year Award and the first Angels player to win the award since Tim Salmon in 1993. Trout was the 18th Rookie of the Year winner to win unanimously.

2012: AL Rookie of the Year Award

In 2012, Mike Trout became a regular player for the Angels and unanimously won the AL Rookie of the Year Award.

2012: AL MVP Runner-Up

In 2012, Mike Trout finished second in the voting for the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

2012: Led American League in Runs

In 2012, Mike Trout led the American League in runs scored.

2012: Brought up from minors

Mike Trout began the 2012 season with the Salt Lake Bees. On April 28, 2012, he was brought up from the minors to replace Bobby Abreu.

2012: Scored 100th Run of the Season

On August 26, 2012, Mike Trout scored his 100th run of the season, becoming the second Angels rookie to score at least 100 runs in a season after Devon White. He also set a new Angels record for runs scored in a rookie season, passing White.

May 21, 2013: Trout hits for the cycle

On May 21, 2013, Mike Trout became the youngest player to hit for the cycle in American League history and the sixth-youngest in Major League history. He achieved this milestone at home against the Seattle Mariners.

2013: AL MVP Runner-Up

In 2013, Mike Trout finished second in the voting for the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

2013: Led American League in Times on Base

In 2013, Mike Trout led the American League in times on base.

March 28, 2014: Trout signs contract extension with Angels

On March 28, 2014, the Angels announced that they had signed Mike Trout to a six-year, $144.5 million contract extension.

November 13, 2014: Trout named AL MVP

On November 13, 2014, Mike Trout was unanimously selected as the AL MVP by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. He became the sixth player in MLB history to win both the regular-season MVP and the All-Star Game MVP in the same season and the third in Angels' franchise history.

2014: AL MVP Award

In 2014, Mike Trout won the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

April 17, 2015: Trout reaches 100 Home Runs and 100 Stolen Bases

On April 17, 2015, Mike Trout became the youngest player in MLB history to reach 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases at 23 years and 253 days old. He surpassed Alex Rodriguez, who achieved the milestone at 23 years and 309 days old in 1999.

2015: AL MVP Runner-Up

In 2015, Mike Trout finished second in the voting for the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

2015: Led American League in Times on Base

In 2015, Mike Trout led the American League in times on base.

November 17, 2016: Trout wins 2016 AL MVP

On November 17, 2016, Mike Trout was announced as the 2016 AL MVP, winning the award for the second time in his career. Trout also joined Barry Bonds as the only other player in MLB history to finish top 2 for the MVP in five straight seasons.

2016: Led American League in Runs and Times on Base

In 2016, Mike Trout led the American League in runs scored and times on base.

2016: AL MVP Award

In 2016, Mike Trout won the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

September 29, 2017: Trout hits 200th career home run

On September 29, 2017, Mike Trout hit his 200th career home run off of Marco Gonzales of the Seattle Mariners. Trout became the seventh player in history to reach 200 or more home runs before the end of his age-25 season.

2018: AL MVP Runner-Up

In 2018, Mike Trout finished second in the voting for the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

2018: Led American League in Times on Base

In 2018, Mike Trout led the American League in times on base.

March 20, 2019: Trout signs richest contract in North American sports history

On March 20, 2019, Mike Trout signed a 12-year, $426 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. At the time, this was the richest contract in the history of North American sports.

October 24, 2019: Trout wins AL Hank Aaron Award and named AL MVP

On October 24, 2019, Mike Trout won the AL Hank Aaron Award. He was also named the AL MVP for the third time in his career, joining Albert Pujols as the only active MLB players with three MVP awards.

2019: Signed Contract with Angels

In 2019, Mike Trout signed a 12-year, $426 million contract with the Angels.

2019: AL MVP Award

In 2019, Mike Trout won the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

July 6, 2020: Trout's contract surpassed by Patrick Mahomes

On July 6, 2020, Patrick Mahomes' 10-year $503 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs surpassed Mike Trout's contract as the richest in North American sports.

March 13, 2022: Angels consider moving Trout out of center field

On March 13, 2022, the Angels manager Joe Maddon considered moving Mike Trout out of center field to prevent injuries. Trout expressed surprise upon learning about the potential change and voiced his preference to remain in center field, leading Maddon to decide against the positional switch.