Major League Baseball

Angels' Trout on follow-up MVP campaign: 'I'm a young kid just playing ball'

Published Apr. 2, 2015 11:18 p.m. ET

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Mike Trout was back at Angel Stadium on Thursday for the first time since last season to start his MVP follow-up campaign. 

In his first at-bat in Thursday's home exhibition game against the Dodgers, he homered to right field off Sergio Santos. 

He's already back in top form. 

"I came in came in ready to go (into spring training)," Trout said. "I feel good at the plate right now. Just getting my at-bats and take it into the season."

His influence on the team, at the plate and in the dugout, is undeniable.

Trout's endorsement deal with Body Armor has led to a new contract for the Angels with the sports drink company, too. Body Armor coolers have now taken up residence in the dugout, along with the company's cups and towels.

Rob Gronkowski, another Body Armor client, came along for the ride Thursday as well. He's never seen an L.A.-area locker room he didn't like. Gronkowski and Trout hung out together before the game, and Gronkowski threw out the ceremonial first pitch with Trout as his catcher. 

Perhaps some of that Super Bowl magic will rub off on Trout and the Angels, who had baseball's best offense last season but were swept in the playoffs by Kansas City. 

Trout's star power is rising with every home run and autograph he signs. He has endorsement deals with Nike and Subway to name a couple, but those aren't his priorities.

"'I'm just focused on playing baseball," Trout said. "I'm not really into the marketing stuff just yet. I'm a young kid just playing ball."

He's keeping it simple. 

And if spring training is any indicator, Trout is picking up where he left off.

"(I'm going to) keep my game the way it's been the past couple years," Trout said. "Not try to do anything different. Just go out there keep playing."

Having the same routine has worked well for Trout. 

In spring, Trout had a .451 batting average with four home runs and 14 RBI. He had a .824 slugging percentage. 

In running away with the 2014 MVP award, Trout hit 36 home runs and had 111 RBI, but had just 16 stolen bases, and that's one thing he wants to change this year. That, and cutting down on strikeouts.

He's glad to be back at his second home, where he's a superstar and arguably the face of Major League Baseball. 

And leaving behind the hot weather in Tempe wasn't bad, either. 

"It's good to get out of that heat," Trout said. "It was really hot this year, this spring training. It feels good to be by the ocean and back to our home field."

Especially since he seemingly is in that same groove he was last year.

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