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 decorated MLB outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels, widely considered one of baseball's all-time greats and the best player of his generation. His accolades include 11 All-Star selections, 3 AL MVP awards, and 9 Silver Slugger Awards. Trout also captained the United States national team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, earning a spot on the All-World Baseball Classic Team. His exceptional performance and consistent excellence have solidified his status as a legendary figure in the sport.

Sections (4)

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

1983: Drafted by the Minnesota Twins

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

2001: Rookie of the Month Four Times

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

2009: Pre-Draft Commitment to East Carolina University

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

2009: Professional Career Begins

In 2009, after being drafted by the Angels, Mike Trout started his professional baseball career, playing for the Arizona Angels of the rookie-level Arizona League (AZL) and later for the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Class A Midwest League.

2009: Drafted by the Angels

In 2009, the Angels selected Mike Trout in the first round of the MLB draft, marking the beginning of his professional baseball career.

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, becoming the youngest player to win the award at 19 years and two months. He was also named a Baseball America All-Star as well as a Topps Class A All-Star.

2010: All-Star Futures Game Selection and Promotion

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

July 8, 2011: Major League Debut

On July 8, 2011, the Los Angeles Angels promoted Mike Trout, and he made his major league debut that night.

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 with one home run and six runs batted in 12 starts for the Angels.

August 19, 2011: Recalled by the Angels

On August 19, 2011, Mike Trout was recalled by the Los Angeles Angels and hit his first home run at Angel Stadium that night.

2011: Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award

For the 2011 season, Mike Trout was named Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year after hitting .326/.414/.544 with 11 home runs, 38 RBIs, 82 runs scored, and 33 stolen bases in 91 games. He was also named an outfielder on Baseball America's 2011 Minor League All-Star team.

2011: Brief Major League Appearance

In 2011, Mike Trout made a brief major league appearance for the Los Angeles Angels.

2011: Season with Arkansas Travelers

Mike Trout started the 2011 season with the Arkansas Travelers of the Class AA Texas League.

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

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

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: Return to the Majors

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

2012: AL MVP runner-up

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

2012: American League Leader in Runs

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

May 21, 2013: Hits for the cycle against the Seattle Mariners

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

2013: AL MVP runner-up

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

2013: American League Leader in Times on Base

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

November 13, 2014: 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 was the fifth-youngest MVP ever at the time.

2014: AL MVP Award

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

April 17, 2015: 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 passed Alex Rodriguez who achieved this milestone at 23 years and 309 days in 1999.

2015: AL MVP runner-up

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

2015: American League Leader in Times on Base

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

August 12, 2016: Accumulates Most WAR Through Age-24 Season Since 1913

By August 12, 2016, Mike Trout's age-24 season, he had accumulated more WAR than any other player since 1913. Trout's WAR was 45, followed by Mickey Mantle with 41.1.

2016: American League Leader in Runs and Times on Base

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

2016: Wins Second AL MVP Award

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

September 6, 2017: Franchise Record for Consecutive Games with a Walk

On September 6, 2017, Mike Trout drew a walk in his 14th consecutive contest against the Oakland Athletics, surpassing Albie Pearson's franchise record of 13 set in 1961.

September 29, 2017: Hits 200th Career Home Run

On September 29, 2017, Mike Trout hit his 200th career home run off Marco Gonzales of the Seattle Mariners, becoming 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 American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP).

2018: American League Leader in Times on Base

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

March 20, 2019: Mike Trout Signs Richest Contract

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

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

On October 24, 2019, Mike Trout won the AL Hank Aaron Award and was 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 the Angels

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

2019: AL MVP Award

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

September 5, 2020: Trout Hits 300th Career Home Run

On September 5, 2020, Mike Trout hit his 300th career home run off of Brandon Bielak of the Houston Astros, surpassing Tim Salmon to become the Angels' all-time home run leader.

July 19, 2022: Trout to Captain USA in World Baseball Classic

On July 19, 2022, Mike Trout announced that he would captain the United States national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

April 15, 2023: Trout Records 300th Career Double

On April 15, 2023, Mike Trout hit his 300th career double in a game against the Red Sox, becoming the fourth player in Major League history to reach at least 300 career doubles, 300 career home runs, and 200 stolen bases by his age-31 season, joining Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, and Willie Mays.

2023: World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Mike Trout captained the United States national team during the World Baseball Classic and was named to the All-World Baseball Classic Team.

April 9, 2024: Trout Breaks Angels Record for Fastest to Six Home Runs

On April 9, 2024, Mike Trout hit a home run in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays, becoming the fastest player in Angels franchise history to reach six home runs, achieving this feat in just eleven games.