Mike Trout of the Angels is surprisingly named best MLB player by famous rival

For the first time in his career, Los Angeles Angels centerfielder Mike Trout is not an All-Star and will not have the opportunity to participate in the MLB All-Star Game. Trout had been named an All-Star in all 12 of his full seasons up until this year – with the exception of the pandemic-shortened 2020, when the All-Star Game was canceled.

Trout, of course, didn’t miss out on being named to the All-Star team after suffering a torn meniscus in April. He also missed parts of the last three seasons due to injury. The timing of his injury this year kept him off the field long enough that he didn’t garner enough All-Star votes in the fan vote.

Despite his absence from the game, Trout is considered one of the best in the league – at least according to Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper.

“I would still say Mike Trout,” Harper said when asked by Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated who the best player in MLB is. “I still think it’s pretty special to watch him when he’s healthy.”

In addition to Trout, Harper counts Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees and Shohei Ohtani, DH of the Los Angeles Dodgers, among the best players in the game.

“Obviously Aaron Judge. What he’s doing this year is incredible,” Harper said. “Shohei. I mean, the game is in such good hands. Older and younger alike. Gunnar Henderson, Bobby Witt … I mean, the game is at such a remarkable point right now.”

Despite being out for most of the 2024 season, Trout was on pace for a stellar year through the first month. Trout posted a .220/.325/.541 batting average and led the MLB in home runs before getting injured. He hopes to return in late July.

Harper’s praise for Trout is especially notable because the two players have been compared to each other throughout their careers. Both players were named Rookie of the Year in 2012 and quickly became faces of the MLB. The two have combined for 19 All-Star appearances, five MVP awards and four Hank Aaron Awards.