That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies vs. Angels: What you should know about the series

By Mike Azzalina

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 31: Odubel Herrera #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by Aaron Altherr #23 after hitting a three-run home run in the third inning during a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on July 31, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 31: Odubel Herrera #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by Aaron Altherr #23 after hitting a three-run home run in the third inning during a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on July 31, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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Phillies
ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 01: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim returns to the dugout after flying out during the first inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 1, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

The Position Player: Mike Trout

There will be no arguments. There will be no questions. If you have disagreed with me on every singly piece I have written this season, it will not happen on this specific slide. It would be a complete joke if I decided to pick anyone except Mike Trout here.

Yes, Andrelton Simmons is leading the team in hits and OBP. Sure, future Hall of Famer, Albert Pujols is on the roster and has knocked in a team-high 63 runs to this point. Trout is just that presence that should terrify everyone and he was hurt for a piece of the season, which is why he does not dominate Anaheim’s stats.

In his 217 at bats this season, Trout has been as good as advertised. He is currently the team’s leader with 19 homers and has a ridiculous 1.134 OPS. He has 46 walks in comparison to his 55 strikeouts and has not slowed down at all since the All-Star break.

Over the last week, Trout is hitting .360 and has five walks, three RBI, and four runs. He is not necessarily coming into this series cold.

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Trout carries with him a career 95 homers and .971 OPS at home into the week. He can hit in any count, but if a pitcher falls behind in any way, he becomes incredibly dangerous. In every count in which a batter is considered ahead, Trout has an average of over .400, but more importantly, an OBP of well over .400 as well.

The good news is that he has never faced any of the three pitchers he will be facing this week. Aaron Nola, who has been absolutely fantastic recently, Jake Thompson, and Jerad Eickhoff will be introduced to the perennial MVP candidate soon enough.

It looks as though climbing the ladder on Trout is possibly the only way to get him out at this point. He has success with fastballs down in the zone, but has struggled when pitchers raise the ball on him. Trout is a true low-ball hitter, so the Phillies are going to want to make sure they keep the ball above the waste.

As I said, the Angels are a fairly boring offense, but if pitchers are not careful with Trout, there will definitely be some fireworks.

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