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 American professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels. Renowned as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, particularly of his generation, he boasts an impressive resume, including being an 11-time All-Star, a three-time American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP), and a nine-time Silver Slugger Award winner. Trout also captained the United States national team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, earning a spot on the All-World Baseball Classic Team.

Sections (4)

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

1983: Drafted by Minnesota Twins

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

2001: AL 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: Started Professional Career

In 2009, Mike Trout started his professional career out of high school, playing for the Arizona Angels of the rookie-level Arizona League (AZL). He also finished the season playing for the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Class A Midwest League.

2009: MLB Draft

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

2010: Topps Minor League Player of the Year

After the 2010 season, Mike Trout received the Topps Minor League Player of the Year Award, becoming the youngest player to win the award. He was also 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 started the season playing for Cedar Rapids. He was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game and later promoted to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the Class A-Advanced California League.

July 8, 2011: MLB Debut

On July 8, 2011, the Los Angeles Angels promoted Mike Trout, to replace the injured Peter Bourjos in center field. 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

After spending time back in Double-A Arkansas, Mike Trout was recalled by the Angels on August 19, 2011. That night, he went 1-for-4 with a home run, his first at Angel Stadium.

2011: Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year

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: Major League Appearance

In 2011, Mike Trout made a brief major league appearance before becoming a regular player for the Angels.

2011: Started 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 won the BBWAA Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award, receiving all first-place votes, becoming the first Angels player since Tim Salmon in 1993 to win it, and the youngest AL Rookie of the Year winner. He was the 18th unanimous winner.

2012: AL Rookie of the Year Award

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

2012: 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.

2012: Brought up from Minors

Mike Trout began the 2012 season with the Salt Lake Bees of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. On April 28, 2012, he was brought up from the minors to replace Bobby Abreu.

2013: 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.

November 13, 2014: AL MVP Award

On November 13, 2014, Mike Trout was unanimously selected as the AL MVP, becoming the sixth player in MLB history to win both the regular-season MVP and the All-Star Game MVP in the same season. He was also the fifth-youngest MVP ever, the 17th unanimous winner, and the third in Angels' history after Vladimir Guerrero in 2004.

2014: AL MVP Award

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

April 17, 2015: Youngest to 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, achieving this milestone at 23 years and 253 days old, surpassing Alex Rodriguez's previous record from 1999.

2015: 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.

August 12, 2016: Accumulated Most WAR through Age-24 Season Since 1913

According to Fangraphs, on August 12, 2016, Mike Trout had accumulated more WAR through his age-24 season than any other player since 1913, with 45, surpassing Mickey Mantle, Mel Ott, Jimmie Foxx, and Ted Williams. Alex Rodriguez was seventh.

2016: Led American League in Runs

In 2016, Mike Trout led the American League in runs.

2016: 2016 AL MVP Award

In 2016, Mike Trout was announced as the AL MVP for the second time in his career. Trout joined Barry Bonds as the only other player in MLB history to finish top 2 for the MVP in five straight seasons. He also won the 2016 Esurance MLB/This Year in Baseball Award for Best Major Leaguer.

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

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

September 29, 2017: 200th Career Home Run

On September 29, 2017, Mike Trout hit his 200th career home run off of 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: 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 record contract with Angels

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

2019: Third AL MVP Award

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

2019: Signed Contract with the Angels

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

2019: Trout undergoes foot surgery, finishes season with career high

In 2019, Mike Trout underwent a cryoablation procedure on September 9 to address a neuroma in his right foot. On September 15, 2019, it was announced that he would undergo full-fledged surgery to remove the neuroma, ending his season. He finished the season with a career-high 45 home runs.

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, breaking the Angels' all-time home run record held by Tim Salmon.

July 19, 2022: Trout to captain United States national baseball team

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 his 300th career double

On April 15, 2023, Mike Trout hit his 300th career double in a game against the Red Sox. With this, Trout became the fourth player in Major League history to collect at least 300 career doubles, 300 career home runs, and 200 stolen bases by his age-31 season.

2023: World Baseball Classic Team

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 becomes fastest Angel to reach 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, doing so in eleven games.