ANAHEIM, Calif. – It would be pointless, if not foolhardy, to try and draw comparisons between Angels teammates Mike Trout and J.B. Shuck. But in one instance, it's possible they could share one thing in common this winter.
Consider: Trout is the reigning American League Rookie of the Year; Shuck is putting up the kind of numbers this season that will warrant consideration for the same award.
The similarities end there, primarily because Trout is a once-in-a-generation star who is already among the game's best players. Shuck is no Trout, but in a lost season for the Angels, he's making the most of his opportunity.
And because of that, the notion of back-to-back rookies of the year in Anaheim isn't much of a stretch.
"Absolutely," manager Mike Scioscia said when he was asked if he considers Shuck a viable candidate.
The Angels have begun providing media updates on Shuck, noting that at the start of Tuesday's games, he led all A.L. rookies in hits (108), runs (50), doubles (17) and total bases (137), was second in batting average (.297) and triples (3) and ranked third in runs batted in (37) and outfield assists (6).
But Tuesday night at Anaheim Stadium, Shuck blanked and so did the Angels. He went hitless in four at-bats, ending his career-best eight-game hitting streak, and the Angels fell 7-1 to the Tampa Bay Rays, stopping their five-game win streak.
The mere thought of winning rookie of the year and succeeding Trout, who last year enjoyed one of the most remarkable seasons ever for a player, strikes Shuck as almost unbelievable.
"To me, he's the best player in the game right now," Shuck said of Trout. "To even be considered in that category is a great honor, and that’s how I look at it. Just being mentioned is a great honor."
Perhaps, but Shuck's numbers stand on their own merit. He won a roster spot last spring after hitting .358 in 53 at-bats and made an impact after filling in for Peter Bourjos, the Angels' center fielder who went down in late April with a strained left hamstring.
Shuck, 26, hit .283 in June, .284 in July and .324 in August with 12 RBI.
"Out of all the guys in spring, I don't know if there was a guy that put his best foot forward like J.B. did," Scioscia said. "He forced his way onto the roster. He went out there and won a spot and has carved himself a bigger role as the season has gone on."
Shuck was released by the Houston Astros at the end of last season after spending all of last season at Triple-A Oklahoma City. The Angels signed him last November and made him a non-roster invitee to spring training.
After winning a job in the spring, he figured to be a backup outfielder. He's not a power hitter -- he has two home runs in 368 at-bats -- but he's solid defensively and makes the most of his plate appearances.
"Although he doesn't walk much, he's gotten into good hitting counts, and when he's gotten a pitch to hit, he's not trying to do too much with it," Scioscia said. "That's one of the big things. He understands his game, and he's very comfortable in his skin.
"He's not a guy who says I have to try and drive the ball more or I better start turning on the ball more. He understands what his talent level is, he's a very focused player and he's going to take what the pitcher gives him."
Shuck said he's not thinking about awards, at least not now. The Angels are playing well and looking toward a strong finish, and that seems to be enough for him.
"My biggest thing is, I want to win, especially with the team we have here," he said. "We're finally playing great team baseball, and I think that’s the most important thing and what I’m focusing on right now."
