Do the Los Angeles Angels Need to Make the Playoffs For Mike Trout to Win Rookie of the Year and MVP?

The 2012 season has not gone the way the Los Angeles Angels hoped it would as they seem to have a shot at the wild-card spot for the playoffs, at best, heading into the final week. Obviously, this season would be considered a fail if the Angels fall short of the playoffs considering all of the big moves they did during the offseason (especially the signing of Albert Pujols), but there’s one thing they should see as a positive–the emergence of Mike Trout.

The 21-year-old outfielder has been nothing short of phenomenal during his first season in Los Angeles by batting over .330 and even reached the 100-run mark in just 105 games–which is pretty impressive. From home run hits to amazing catches at the wall, Trout has arguably displayed one of the most exciting rookie seasons in recent history and it’s safe to say he’ll take home Rookie of the Year honors without any problems.

What’s even more impressive–Trout has the potential to become the third player in Major League Baseball history to win both Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season, joining Fred Lynn in 1975 and Ichiro Suzuki in 2001. Even if he falls short in the MVP race, there’s a good chance Trout will find his name in the running over the next couple of years if his rookie season is any indication of what type of career’s in store.

Of course, Trout will have a better shot at winning MVP if the Angels can find a way to squeeze in the playoffs.

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