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MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred went on the record last year saying that MLB can’t market Mike Trout because Mike Trout won’t help market himself. The two-time AL MVP is a better baseball player than his brand would suggest, and holy shit plays like he made last night is proof that you don’t need a production company and a spokesperson for Dude Wipes to be an absolute force.
During Tuesday night’s game against the Dodgers, Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy made a poor business decision in trying to test Trout’s arm on a base hit by Corey Seager.
Trout made a throw that only a handful of people on the planet can make: a 98.6 mph, 261-foot assist to the plate for the out.
Mike Trout with an absolute dart. 😱 pic.twitter.com/VFi1rl8ZNY
— MLB (@MLB) July 24, 2019
According to Angels beat reporter Rhett Bollinger, Trout’s throw to home was tied for the third-hardest thrown outfield assist in the Majors this season. It was also Trout’s hardest tracked throw by Statcast since it was introduced in 2015.
Mike Trout: 98.6 mph, 261-foot assist to the plate pic.twitter.com/rQYAkarClQ
— David Adler (@_dadler) July 24, 2019
Mike Trout was very proud of his 98.6 mph throw home. Said he’s going to make sure a few pitchers hear about it, including Garrett Richards. Said it’s something Tyler Skaggs definitely would’ve joked with him about.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) July 24, 2019
The throw would be critical in helping the Angels go on to beat the Dodgers, 5-4. Oh yeah, and Trout’s 454-foot bomb into the loge level in the bottom of the fifth was a bit of help as well.
.@MikeTrout’s 454 ft bomb gives him his 5th HR of 450+ ft in 2019.
That ties him with Josh Bell for the most in @MLB. pic.twitter.com/4mrJWDBP7U
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) July 24, 2019
He’s decent I guess.