Angels Articles

November 29, 2024 - Written by Zac Holladay

The Definition of Leadership in Baseball

The characteristics that surround a leader resemble the characteristics of only a few people in the world. Defining a leader within the baseball guidelines narrows it down for each team and for each team wields a special player that fits the part of a leader. Portraying a leader for a major league team involves health, consistency and loyalty. Being an overall good teammate and being there for your co-workers is the basis of a team-player. But to have the numbers and statistics that only few men have ever reached is an additional feat to add to the resume. When you talk about Mike Trout, you would immediately think of how much of a leader of his team he is. But is he the leader of the Los Angeles Angels anymore?

Mike Trout's Legacy and Leadership Role

Over the course of the last 4 years, from 2021-2024, Mike Trout has been injured on an average of about 66 games per year. Between his prime years of 2012-2019, Mike Trout never played less than 110 in a season. Some of the injuries that Trout overcame include: a torn meniscus, fractured hamate, calf strain, back injury, etc. As it is normal for baseball players to get injured, Trout has had significant absences from each of the last 4 seasons when the Angels needed him the most. Mike Trout’s lack of games played resulted in his former teammate, Shohei Ohtani, to have no backup and left him to do most of the heavy lifting for the post-Covid seasons. Although the Angels didn’t have much backup for Trout and Ohtani within those 4 seasons, the possible production loss from his bat was a huge gut-punch to the team and the fanbase. And along with his missed time also comes with his career numbers taking a toll. As Trout’s chances of making the Hall of Fame were almost a clear-cut choice as of 2019, it has turned upside down and will likely keep declining if his trend of inconsistency continues.

Entering the 2025 season, the New Jersey native is expected to, yet again, return healthy to Spring Training from the Injured List. It is beginning to be the talk of the town every year: Can Trout stay on the field for a full season? As there is no question that Trout produces when he is on the field, wondering how many games he can play, year after year, is the question that rambles within everyone’s heads.

Entering his 14th major league season, Mike Trout will be playing at the ripe age of 33. As he is seen as an all-time great in the hearts of Angels fans and baseball fans around the world, it is clear that he is past his prime. While he can still hit the baseball with the best of them, Trout is getting older, and with age comes slowing down. He doesn’t need to compete for his spot in the Opening Day lineup and shouldn’t worry about being replaced. But as it has been reported within the last few months, Angels GM Perry Minasian intends on moving the 3x MVP to a corner outfield spot with intended time seen in the DH spot as well. So while the Angels depend on him every year to be their starting centerfielder, the team is turning in the direction of relying on others to fill the spots as they see fit. This means that Trout’s reputation as Angels “chosen one” and their cornerstone could result in him becoming less of a priority to keep happy.

The Emergence of New Leaders on the Angels' Roster

It is obvious that this Angels team is moving in a different direction while sticking with some of the same traditions. The SoCal ballclub is in a difficult spot with potential stars waiting to break out and talents getting bit with injuries. But with Mike Trout being the face of the franchise, it is hard to imagine a world without him. It seems as if the Angels are now preparing for the absence of Trout and relying on other guys to step up and lead the team. With the new developments of first baseman Nolan Schanuel, shortstop Zach Neto and catcher Logan O’Hoppe, they are seen as the new wave of the Angels franchise. While the 2010’s were starred by players by the name of Albert Pujols, Jered Weaver and Mike Trout, the new direction of the ballclub has been released. The likeness of Neto, O’Hoppe, Schanuel and even outfielders Jo Adell and Mickey Moniak have risen as fan-favorites as they have contributed in key moments and have had a flair for the dramatic. Every one of those players plays a leadership role while also being relatively young.

Although the numbers of any of those names don’t immediately jump off the page, it is obvious that the depth of this team has great potential and tremendous chemistry. Being able to have a good functioning overall team is something that the Angels have lacked for a long time now, resulting in one of the biggest playoff droughts in Major League Baseball. Mike Trout, being with the team since 2011, has seen many different rosters throughout the years and for the first time has a young, hopeful and well-developed core to surround him. The only question is if the core can stay on the field for a whole season. But if a majority of them can, there is no reason they shouldn’t be an above-average offensive ballclub.

It is nothing short to mention that Mike Trout is a leader of the Angels and is the face of the franchise. He has turned down any rumors of him possibly leaving the Angels and is proud of his decision to stay put. Trout has done everything he can while on the field and has felt the weight of the team on his shoulders at times. But now, it is safe to say that the weight is off of him. As stated, he is getting up there in age and is no longer a reliable asset as his injury history is unfortunately consistent. In 2024, Zach Neto and Taylor Ward took on the Angels leaderboards as they were atop the team two men in RBI’s, home runs, runs scored and hits. This is the first time in about a decade that two guys, not named Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, led the Angels in the main statistics. You could make the argument that this occurred because Angels let Ohtani walk and Trout was hurt. While this is true, the concept of change overtook the Angels franchise last season.

From Cornerstone to Support Role

While Trout is going to be the main guy going into the 2025 season due to his accolades and reputation, this will be the first time in his career that he will not be the leader of the Angels. Without Mike Trout, no one in the lineup will overpower you with their numbers. But this Angels team is going to be built and seen as a team of roleplayers. Every guy on the roster knows their role on the team. And for once, Mike Trout will NOT be considered the leader. The leader will simply be built up of a bunch of Zach Neto, Logan O’Hoppe, Jo Adell, Mickey Moniak and Nolan Schanuel.

The New Identity of the Angels

The 2024 season was a season to forget, but every moment to remember involved a member of the five previously mentioned. Each one of them joined the team at different times, but shined together. This can all be traced back to the acquisition of bringing manager Ron Washington. He made last season worth playing and elevated the value of the players' development over pouting over the failure of showcasing a franchise worst 99-loss season. Washington took the time to analyze his players and their characteristics in their craft rather than wave the white flag. And thanks to him, they all made a name for themselves last season and they all have tremendous potential. He sees leaders in each one of them and is bringing out the confidence in them which is key to good chemistry.

Mike Trout shouldn’t be considered the “face” of the team due to the fact that he is no longer reliable health-wise and shouldn’t be relied on in the first place. He’s had his time in the sunlight alone for too long. The new wave of Halos has arrived and will be there to support Mike Trout for his time remaining in the Majors. This shouldn’t be seen as a negative outcome but as a door to new opportunities for the team and, hopefully, a successful season.

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