But his first taste of the Majors lasted only 14 games. I just congratulated him. But at least he was still 'dating' a supermodel. He scored the game-winning run in the ninth inning after beating out a fielder’s choice grounder. Teams. USA TODAY. Let’s consider how seven highly-touted prospects started: First glance: He started in center field at home against the Mariners, batted ninth and flied out twice and grounded out in three at-bats. TEMPE, Ariz. – It took 117 days for Bryce Harper to score a … “I don’t think you’d want to go through, again, what he went through and so I’m happy for him. RF - PHI. CF - LAA. It’s hard to imagine Trout not lending that concept some thought, but let’s indulge him, at least momentarily. When he set out to learn English, he said he did it, in part, because it would help him communicate with teammates. Certainly the fans love him. Like it … He’s also been more engaged in union meetings as his career continues, according to people familiar with him, and may want to send the contractual stakes even higher for his fellow players. “I’m happy for him, I’m happy for Machado. CF - LAA. It seemed Harper and Trout might always be joined at the hip when, as 19- and 20-year-olds, they dominated the National and American leagues, respectively, captured Rookie of the Year honors and earned MVP awards by the time they were 22. PHI. In his first 27 games, he batted .337 with eight doubles, four homers and a .986 OPS. A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. © 2021 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Good Thing The Phillies Don’t Need Him To Be. Mike Trout and Bryce Harper are perhaps baseball’s most exciting batters to watch. Harper did win his MVP, but his year-to-year production has been more uneven. I know what kind of person Machado is, Harper is, I know Arenado, they’re all passionate about their game. His 10-year, $330-million deal with the Phillies is a reminder that sometimes hot shot prospects are as good as advertised. That all changed on Monday, however. They should save their dough and set their sights on Mike Trout in 2021. And then, well, you know the rest of the story. After signing Bryce Harper, it's entirely possible that come Opening Day 2021, the Phillies could field an outfield with both Harper and Mike Trout. Bryce Harper makes recruiting pitch to Mike Trout, and the Angels are not happy Mike Trout, left, and Bryce Harper share a moment during a 2014 Angels-Nationals game in … First full season: He filled up his stat line: 22 home runs, 26 doubles, 18 stolen bases and an .817 OPS in 139 games. He grounded a single to left in the eighth inning and hit the ball hard two other times. His best offensive season came in 2017 when he had a .728 OPS, stole 29 bases and won a Gold Glove. draft, and have been for a few years. The Trout portion of the program unfolded in nondescript fashion, with an 0-for-4 afternoon in Cleveland. Bryce Harper: Washington Nationals (2012-2018), Philadelphia Phillies (2019-Present) Mike Trout: Los Angeles Angels (2011-Present) FTW's Ted Berg explains how Harper instantly makes them title contenders even in a loaded NL East. The San Francisco Giants are making a mistake trying to sign Bryce Harper. SportsPulse: It finally happened. “Let’s put his ability aside and what he means on the field,” says first-year Angels manager Brad Ausmus, who spent last year in the front office. Trout was hitting .341 at the All-Star break and on his way to becoming one of the 10 best players in baseball history. “Spring training, you try to get ready for a season,” he says. See more ideas about mike trout, bryce harper, harper. Bryce Harper. Bryce Harper, OF, Nationals (April 28, 2012) Corey Seager, SS, Dodgers (Sept. 3, 2015). Trout will be one of the reference points -- but not the only one -- as Guerrero begins his journey. The Angels have contacted Major League Baseball regarding Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper’s public recruitment of Angels star Mike Trout, a possible violation of tampering rules. Yeah, Mike Trout heard. Featured Columnist March 3, 2019 … Harper agreed to a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies in February 2019. Mike Trout was 19 years old and baseball’s No. Brock Holt helps Eduardo Nunez and shortstop Xander Bogaerts as they pose. Where does it rank among other sports? And now that Harper has re-set the salary bar, it is Trout who is on the clock. 3) Bryce Harper: $330 million. Could it happen again someday with the Phillies? TEMPE, Ariz. – It took 117 days for Bryce Harper to score a contract once he embarked on free agency, a torturous process for player, fans and industry until Harper finally agreed to a 13-year, $330 million contract on Thursday. The process was probably a little longer than he wanted but I’m sure he’s happy.”. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter. PHI. He went hitless in back-to-back games only twice in that span and was moved to the No. He had an .886 OPS and four home runs on the one-month anniversary of his debut. He forced teams to change their thinking about players needing to succeed at every level of the Minors before putting on a Major League uniform. Now he's on the clock. Harper is batting .339/.464/.704 with 26 home runs, 61 RBIs and nearly a 1-to-1 walk-to-strikeout ratio. Trout was hitting .341 at the All-Star break and on his way to becoming one of the 10 best players in baseball history. But Trout sacrificed a bit with his original extension and, while the industry has not been kind to older players in recent off-seasons, will command something near a record-setting nine-figure contract after the 2020 season. Almost eight years later, he’s still capable of doing things once or twice a week that take your breath away. Ronald Acuna Jr., OF, Braves (April 25, 2018). Find great deals on eBay for mike trout bryce harper. USA TODAY. “‘I haven’t really thought about it,” Trout said Friday morning before a Cactus League game against the Kansas City Royals. He also made the NL All-Star team in 2016 and was third in NL MVP voting behind Kris Bryant and Daniel Murphy. He never once looked overmatched. If Bryce Harper got nearly a third of a billion dollars from the Phillies, what might Trout receive should he hit the free market after the 2020 season? Bryce Harper Talked to Mike Trout 'A Lot' Before Signing $330M Phillies Contract Adam Wells @ adamwells1985. 1 prospect when he made his Major League debut in 2011. It’s Trout’s next pay day that an entire industry awaits. LAA. Meanwhile, the Rockies guaranteed Nolan Arenado $260 million to keep him out of the free agency fray next year. At the time of Trout’s debut -- July 8, 2011 -- the Angels couldn’t have been more excited. The Phillies, after committing massive monies but only $25.38 million per season for Harper, will have cash for Trout, too. The Phillies are considered the frontrunner for Bryce Harper, but they'll keep their eyes on Mike Trout, who grew up just 45 miles away from Philadelphia. Cross another 30 days off that countdown. The Angels hope it doesn’t come to that, that they retain their franchise player forever. They should. To say he looked comfortable would be an understatement: He was the National League Rookie of the Year and a member of the NL All-Star Team. “I think his leadership – not by standing on a soapbox and talking – but by how he goes about his business and his passion for the game, for winning – it can’t help but bleed into the clubhouse and have a positive impact on the players. Shop with confidence. Yet, those days may zoom by far quicker than he or Los Angeles Angels fans could imagine. The deals signed by Trout, Nolan Arenado, Manny Machado and Bryce Harper … The Harper segment began more promisingly, with an eye-opening throw from left… In that way, he may have changed baseball forever. He had 22 doubles, 22 home runs and an .857 OPS. “It all comes with it, obviously being from back on the East Coast,” says the avid Eagles fan and New Jersey native. First glance: He batted eighth, played short in San Diego and made an immediate impact with a double in his second at-bat and a single in his third. So will 28 other teams, but Trout knows the club he rooted for as a kid will be a constant topic of conversation. After the circus that was the free agencies of Manny Machado and Bryce Harper's -- which ended with Machado in San Diego and Harper in Philadelphi -- Mike Trout went out … They know that in Philadelphia, too. What we learned: That some guys simply are wired differently. Through age 29, he’ll be in an almost dead heat with Trout: $152 million, compared to Trout’s $146.5 million. Harper hints that Phillies have enough money for Trout (1:58) Bryce Harper explains that he changed his number from 34 to 3 because of Roy Halladay and alludes to Mike Trout… His experience -- and that of other top prospects -- could be helpful in considering what we should expect from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as he begins his Major League career as a No. With Trout hitting .163 and veterans coming back from injuries, he was sent back to the Minor Leagues. First full season: He made it look easy. And while we forget now, he actually got sent back to Double-A after hitting just .163 in 47 plate appearances. Mike Trout is the best player in the game and goes about his business the right way and is admired and honored for it and should be.”. First full season: He was an instant success in helping the Braves return to the postseason for the first time since 2013, winning the NL Rookie of the Year Award and finishing 12th in NL MVP voting with a season that included 26 doubles, 26 homers and a .917 OPS. Don't get me wrong, Harper is putting up good numbers, but Trout is putting up epic numbers. What we learned: Sometimes, even the best prospects fail out of the gate. This is a tough question because Trout has exploded out of the gates while it seems like Harper is taking more time to acclimate to the game. If that was Bryce Harper’s goal — to publicly begin recruiting baseball’s best player as his first act as a $330 million Phillie — mission accomplished. First glance: He batted sixth on the road against the White Sox and beat out an infield single and drove in a run in his second at-bat. First glance: He started in left field in Cincinnati and batted sixth. Cubs fans will forever remember that smile on his face as he threw across the diamond. In his first month, he got at least one hit in his first four games and batted .359 in his first nine. Buxton began this season with 306 Major League games played and now appears on his way to fulfilling all his promise. The illusion of star power: Why Mike Trout and Bryce Harper can’t carry teams to the playoffs Zach Crizer 9/24/2020. “I figured he’d probably want to finish out his career there,” Trout said of the surprising 13-year term of Harper’s deal. Bryce Harper Is Not Mike Trout. In fact, those players have won multiple awards and debuted in the MLB nearly the same time. In two years, it will probably be him. Almost eight years later, he’s still capable of doing things once or twice a week that take your breath away. 1 pick of the 2012 Draft -- Jeff Luhnow’s first as Houston general manager -- Correa had shown that he was driven to be great. Bryce Harper has landed in Philly. What we learned: His skills translated so smoothly to the Major Leagues that he probably didn’t need all of those 259 games spent in the Minors. First full season: He played 138 games in 2015-2016 and established himself as one of the game’s best defensive center fielders. Bryant was the NL MVP in his second full season (2016) and scooped up a grounder that was the final out of the 2016 World Series. He finished 30th in NL MVP Award voting. Bryce Harper, OF, Nationals (April 28, 2012). “You don’t want to worry about anything else. Bryce Harper's had a perfect first week as a Phillie, right down to his new obsession with Mike Trout joining the team in 2020. Trout contacted Harper on Thursday and congratulated him on his deal, a record-setting pact that almost immediately prompted baseball fans to ask: If Harper got nearly a third of a billion dollars from the Philadelphia Phillies, what might Trout, the consensus greatest player in the game, receive should he hit the market after the 2020 season? LAA. Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about. Harper, whose ball club is currently mired in a 4-12 slump and just saw their record dip below .500, was already having a rough first 2 1/2 weeks of the month. Yet the two players, friendly but far from BFF-close, diverged  both in performance and pay: Trout, as he developed into the game’s consensus best player and slam-dunk Hall of Famer, chose security in the form of a six-year, $144 million extension. Mike Trout Or Bryce Harper ?History will duly note that the first installment of the Mike Trout and Bryce Harper Show aired live on April 28, 2012. 2 spot in the batting order after four games. But FanGraphs is the home of WAR, and it’s by WAR that Trout dominates the competition. Bryce Harper and Mike Trout are almost always the first two choices in the "If you are starting a franchise tomorrow, who do you select?" What we learned: That opponents eventually discover every weakness, and that while we’re accustomed to watching players like Harper and Trout make adjustments look easy, they are not. And then everything clicked. (Photo: Rick Scuteri, USA TODAY Sports). The Angels will simultaneously revel in Trout’s greatness – he’s won two MVP awards, finished twice four times and has produced a staggering 64 Wins Above Replacement by age 27 – while wondering how to keep him. For as long as Mike Trout and Bryce Harper are both playing Major League Baseball, people are going to compare Mike Trout and Bryce Harper. What we learned: That the Cubs -- and a century of Cubs faithful -- got lucky that Bryant fell into their laps after the Astros passed on him with the No. Mike Trout's 12-year, $430 million contract with the Angels tops Bryce Harper and Manny Machado as the richest overall contract in MLB history. Tell me you wouldn't want to watch that team, night in and night out. He was sidelined by a thumb injury after just 11 games, returning on Aug. 20 and hitting .217 the rest of the season. He finished his first month with five home runs and an .852 OPS. FanGraphs isn’t unique in this regard — Mike Trout is the best player in baseball, and, generally speaking, people are aware of that. First full season: He was voted NL Rookie of the Year the following season, with 40 doubles and 26 home runs. Bryce Harper. That’s the mindset right now, and we’ll go from there.”, WINNERS, LOSERS: In the Harper sweepstakes. SHOW HIM THE MONEY: Harper agrees to record deal, NIGHTENGALE: Big bucks for Bryce isn't 'stupid money', BIGGEST MLB CONTRACTS: Where Harper's deal ranks all-time. Here's the thing: Bryce Harper is on pace for a better season than Mike Trout ever has had. Who will come closest to living up to the terms of his megadeal? Mike Trout is the latest big leaguer to strike it rich, signing a 12-year extension worth more than $430 million. The 2021 Phillies, if all goes right, could have Bryce Harper and Mike Trout. Trout watched the Harper stakes with a keen eye, concerned as much as anyone at the process’s glacial pace. His .366 OBP in 2018 is a tribute to a young player with more strike-zone discipline than many players ever develop. Move over, Bryce Harper. He had a .902 OPS with four home runs and five doubles after a month in the big leagues and was well on his way to establishing himself as a star. SPORTS, DELIVERED: Get latest news right in your inbox! Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP hide caption Nov 1, 2016 - Explore Sarah Dhein's board "Bryce Harper & Mike Trout :)", followed by 238 people on Pinterest. Bryce Harper's August just went from bad to worse. He hit another ball hard in the ninth inning to drive in a run with a sacrifice fly to left. RF - PHI. The Angels desperately want to retain him, and will spend the next two seasons proactively trying to make him an Angel for life. Their window is closing, however. What we learned: Sometimes, even the best prospects fail out of the gate. You'd be able to … 1 pick in the 2013 Draft. Now, the major question to wonder is: Would it be great to see Mike Trout and Bryce Harper in the World Series? Los Angeles Angel Mike Trout (left) and Washington National Bryce Harper during warmups before the start of an April 2014 baseball game in Washington. Gabe Lacques. First glance: He batted cleanup against the Padres at Wrigley Field and was hitless in four at-bats with three strikeouts. Mike Trout has some 615 days before he can become a free agent. He’s guaranteed $378 million in gross career earnings. 1 prospect. He’s wary of the process -but does not seem scared by it, either, seeing how Manny Machado also made out with a $300 million deal. What we learned: That talent prevails. Mike Trout or Bryce Harper Player Notes : Mike Trout. He had four homers, seven doubles and a .730 OPS in his first month since debuting. Bryce Harper or Mike Trout Player Notes : Mike Trout. “I don’t see how you can’t like Mike Trout. Even before the Astros made him the No. Biden approves major disaster declaration for Texas: FEMA. First full season: He was the NL Rookie of the Year and a member of the 2015 NL All-Star team after a season that included 26 home runs and 31 doubles. Mike Trout is getting a 12-year, $430 million record-breaking deal to stay with the Los Angeles Angels, ESPN’s Jeff Passan first … What we learned: That Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman’s obsession about not trading his top prospects is a huge part of why the team is potentially on its way to winning a seventh straight NL West championship. He was the 2015 American League Rookie of the Year and helped the Astros to their first postseason appearance in a decade. A link has been sent to your friend's email address. He began the 2012 season in the Minors as well and got off to another slow start. Author: Tom Verducci Jasen Vinlove, Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports, Martin Perez, Tomas Telis and Willians Astudillo, Twins. First full season: He batted .220 in 40 games in 2011 and began the next season, 2012, in the Minors. “I’m happy, I’m happy with what they got, they obviously wanted that, and we’ll go from there.”, Mike Trout becomes a free agent after the 2020 season. Yet, he gambled on himself and came up big, experiencing free agency at 26. But the two arrived in pro ball with varied amounts of hype. First glance: He batted seventh, played left field at Dodger Stadium and banged a double off the wall in the top of the seventh inning. Harper’s longtime rival for the mantle of “best young player in baseball” is, of course, Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels, who has consistently run circles around him. "It was kind of crazy," Segura said of seeing Harper and Trout in the same outfield. With good reason, the Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout and the Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper are two of Major League Baseball's brightest young stars. And he indicated Friday that he does not expect to engage in talks with the Angels before the season starts. Mike Trout is happy for Bryce Harper. ... behind Manny Machado and Bryce Harper: It makes sense. Mike Trout, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado have traveled similar career paths. First glance: He batted ninth and played center field in Arlington, going hitless in four at-bats. agreed to a 13-year, $330 million contract, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy.