Trout stays red-hot for Angels : Angels outfielder Mike Trout continued his torrid hitting during Sunday's series finale against the Padres. Trout collected three hits in the 3-2 loss, including belting his fourth home run of the season. He also added a pair of singles, two walks and two steals in the defeat, finishing 3 for 4 at the plate. Trout went 7 for 12 (.583) with a home run, three RBI, three runs scored and three steals in Anaheim's three-game series against the Padres. (Updated 05/20/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/25/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Trout continues to show why he was considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball entering the season as he has done nothing but produce since he was recalled. The 20-year-old has reached base safely in 14 of the 20 games he has appeared in, giving him a .420 on-base percentage thus far. His rare blend of speed and power has made him an instant star in Fantasy and many believe he hasn't even come close to reaching his ceiling yet. Fantasy owners should continue to roll with Trout as a high-end option in all formats heading into Week 8 (May 21-27). (Updated 05/20/2012).
05/23/2012 06:45 Dear Mr. Fantasy: Ups and downs of young players
Last year your team was a juggernaut. This year it's sitting in the cellar. What happened? You might even have most of those players back. If you're relying on young talent, our Scott White says prepare to take some lumps in his latest Dear Mr. Fantasy.
05/21/2012 10:09 Reality Check: Is Bauer keeping you up at night?
Does the prospect of Trevor Bauer getting his Major League Baseball debut in the near future keep you up at night? Scott White soothes the situation in his latest Reality Check.
05/20/2012 20:48 Wild play puts Padres over Angels in 13
Pitcher Clayton Richard scored the winning run from first base on an error by fill-in left fielder Howie Kendrick with two outs in the 13th inning and the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-2 on Sunday in an unusual extra-inning game.
05/20/2012 19:47 Hit Parade for Week 8
Some catchers have been bitten by the injury bug in recent days, leaving some owners scrambling. Our Scott White shares some recommendations and helps set your lineups for Week 8 in his Hit Parade.
Mike Trout and Bryce Harper were 1 and 1A in most preseason prospect rankings last season, so you can understand why the Angels decided to throw caution to the wind and give Trout the opportunity to contribute in the majors as a 19-year-old last July. The results were mixed. He struggled in his first stint before returning in late August and hitting .250 with four homers and three steals in 80 at-bats. Granted, he didn't emerge as a Fantasy stud in the process, but considering he was rushed to the majors after only half a season at Double-A, he performed as well as you could have expected. The homers were especially encouraging considering his power hitting was the one tool that lagged in the minors. Between Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells and Bobby Abreu, the Angels have enough has-beens patrolling the outfield that Trout might have to begin the year in the minors, but rest assured he'll work his way into the lineup before season's end. He's an obvious choice in long-term keeper leagues, and if the Angels are able to clear a spot for him this spring, he'll deserve a late-round pick in standard mixed leagues as well. (Updated 1/12/12)