We are now less than a month away from pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training, and the smell of baseball is in the air. To stoke the flames of our burning desire for baseball, MLB.com has released its top 100 prospects. Mike Trout is ranked as the No. 3 prospect in all of baseball, one of three Los Angeles Angels in the top 100.
Jonathan Mayo is the prospect expert at MLB.com, and he had Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore No. 1, and Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper at No. 2. Of Trout, Mayo said, "He has a very advanced approach at the plate, working counts, getting on base and not striking out much. His power continues to come, and there might be plenty more in the tank. He’s a plus defender with a solid and accurate throwing arm. His makeup should allow him to get better from his big league struggles in 2011."
Trout hit .220/.281/.390 with five home runs in 40 games with the Angels in 2011, making his MLB debut at age 19. He showed improvement at the plate after being sent back down to Double A Arkansas in August. After his return to the Angels, Trout hit .250/.318/.450 with four home runs in 26 games to close out his season.
Shortstop Jean Segura was ranked No. 55 by MLB.com, with an upside potential of "a dynamic leadoff or No. 2 hitter who is productive with the bat and glove." Starting pitcher Garrett Richards, who like Trout made his major league debut in 2011, was ranked No. 67.
For more news and notes on Trout, Segura, Richards, and the rest of the Angels, be sure to read Halos Heaven.