Angels rookie Mike Trout deserves a grand stage to celebrate his season, and now he has one -- his first All-Star Game.
Trout is not alone. Teammates Mark Trumbo, Jered Weaver and CJ Wilson were added to the American League team Sunday from the players' vote and selections by manager Ron Washington of the Texas Rangers. The four Angels could be joined by a fifth Angel with the addition of RHP Ernesto Frieri as a candidate for the final fan vote. The four All-Stars are the most the Angels have had at the All-Star game since 1995 (also five) and the seventh time in franchise history the team has set four or more players to the All-Star game. The franchise record is six in 1979.
Trout leads the AL in hitting and stolen bases, but he may have secured his spot on the roster with his incredible leaping catch last Wednesday to rob the Baltimore Orioles' JJ Hardy of a home run. It was the first chance for East Coast observers to get a glimpse of Trout's enthusiastic play and all-around skills.
Trout, who is only the 20th player to be named to the All-Star team before reaching his 21st birthday, wasn't promoted from the minors until April 28. Since May 1, the Angels have a major league-best 37-21 record, and Trout leads the AL in batting average (.348), runs (48) and times reaching base (99).
Trout will become the seventh youngest A.L. All-Star position player in the 79-year history of the Midsummer Classic, including the fifth youngest A.L. All-Star outfielder. In addition, Trout's 832,439 write-in votes are the most that any player has received since Freddy Sanchez of the Pittsburgh Pirates, hosts of the 2006 All-Star Game, drew 856,685 that year.
Trumbo was listed on the All-Star ballot as a third baseman, but he has primarily played in the outfield because of an injury to Vernon Wells and the temporary absence of Torii Hunter. Trumbo ranks among the league leaders in home runs (19) and RBIs (53) and is ninth in the batting race (.313).
Weaver and Wilson rank second and third, respectively, in ERA and have a combined 17 victories. Weaver missed three weeks because of a lower-back strain but is second to the Chicago White Sox' Chris Sale with a 2.31 ERA; Wilson is third at 2.36. Weaver has been selected to three consecutive AL All-Star teams. Wilson was picked as a replacement for injured New York Yankees starter CC Sabathia.
Freiri is the fifth Angel nominated for the final vote following Darin Erstad (2002), Bengie Molina (2003), Kelvim Escobar (2007) and Chone Figgins (2009). Frieri, who has 10 saves in 10 chances and struck out 40 and had yet to allow a run in 23.1 innings since being traded to LAA from San Diego on May 3, will have to beat out Kansas City's Jonathan Broxton, Texas' Yu Darvish, Baltimore's Jason Hammel and Chicago's Jake Peavy in the fan vote.
The All-Star Game will be played July 10 at Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium.
