Watching the Los Angeles Angels vs. New York Mets this week offered a reminder of the superstar Mike Trout was before injuries and the shortened 2020 MLB season.
By the end of the 2019 season, Mike Trout had compiled an extraordinary resume: eight consecutive 20+ home run seasons, eight straight All-Star selections, a Rookie of the Year award, three MVP trophies, three second-place MVP finishes, and a shelf full of Silver Slugger awards. In other words, he was well on his way to becoming one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.
But what happened?
Injuries happened—just like with any top baseball player who ends up spending large portions of their career on the injured list.
The Angels outfielder first landed on the DL in 2017, which limited him to 114 games, as a result of torn ligament in his left thumb. Even with playing in less than his average of 154 games since the 2012 season, Trout still managed to hit 25 doubles, 33 home runs and drive in 72 runners, while adding a 1.071 OPS.
In 2018, Trout appeared to return to his durable form, playing in 140 games and missing only 10 days due to right wrist inflammation. That season, he hit 39 home runs with a 1.088 OPS, and followed it up in 2019 with 45 home runs and a 1.083 OPS in 134 games. If the 2020 season was not shortened, then Trout’s numbers would have been in line with some of his better seasons. Through 53 games, he hit 17 home runs, which in a full season, could be closer to another 40 homer season.
Mike Trout evens things up with career homer no. 3️⃣9️⃣6️⃣! pic.twitter.com/42lVxd351O
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) July 23, 2025
What began as a promising start to the 2021 season, with Trout hitting .425 (31-for-73), and six home runs through April, came to an abrupt end in mid-May due to a right calf strain. Trout didn’t return to the field until the following season, making his comeback on April 7, 2022. From that point on, he was back to mashing the ball and putting up classic Trout-like numbers. Through June 29th, Trout hit 23 home runs and looked like he hadn’t missed a beat. However, a recurring back injury sidelined him for nearly a month. Upon his return, he added 17 more home runs, finishing the season with 40 homers in just 119 games.
Once again, another season started with a lot of promise, as Trout was healthy again in 2023, putting up great first half numbers. Through June 2023, Trout hit 17 home runs, while driving in 42 runners. Then on July 4th, Trout suffered a left hamate fracture after fouling off a pitch, which sent him to the DL. He tried to return in August, but lasted one game and was shut down for the rest of the season. Trout was limited to 82 games, but still put up 18 home runs on the season.
Last season, Trout once again aimed to play a full year, returning to the everyday lineup on March 28. However, his season was cut short once again, ending on April 29, after he suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee. In just 29 games, Trout hit 10 home runs—showing that, had he stayed healthy, it could have been another strong season for the slugger.
Now we fastforward to the 2025 season and so far Trout is having another strong season but not clear of any injuries. On May 1st, he suffered a left knee contusion, which kept him off the field for most of the month, as he retured to the lineup on May 30th.
Overall through 76 games, Trout has 18 home runs, 45 RBIs, but only has a .826 OPS so far in the season.
For his career through 15 MLB seasons, Trout has compiled 1163 runs scored, 1712 hits, 317 doubles, 55 triples, 396 home runs, 999 RBIs, and a career .984 OPS.
What If Injuries Never Held Trout Back?
It’s a question that likely crosses the slugger’s mind from time to time—wondering what could have been.
What if numbers: based off his career averages of 150 games:
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Home Runs: ~550+
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Hits: ~2,100–2,200
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RBIs: ~1,400+
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Runs Scored: ~1,400+
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Stolen Bases: ~250
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MVPs: Possibly 4–5 (instead of 3)
But even with the time lost to injuries, Trout has posted incredible numbers, and when his career is all said and done, he should undoubtedly be headed to the Hall of Fame.
