Posts belonging to Category Players

What is it about Fridays and MLB Debuts? On June 10 we celebrated Mike Moustakas Day here at the Sombrero, and just one week later we celebrated Dustin Ackley Day.  Today we are thrilled to celebrate another prospect debut: Mike Trout.

Ranked as The Golden Sombrero’s No. 2 Prospect headed into the 2011 season, Trout has done everything (and more) at Double-A to deserve the call to the Big Leagues.  At the time of his promotion, the 19-year-old outfielder was slashing .324/.415/.534 with 12 doubles, 11 triples, nine home runs, 27 RBI and 28 stolen bases.

However, like most Trout enthusiasts (namely MTD over at Off-Base Percentage), none of us sincerely expected his arrival until this time next season – maybe a bit earlier.  But after a hamstring injury to fellow speedster Peter Bourjos during last night’s game, the door officially opened for Trout.

So, to usher in the Mike Trout Era, here are several videos of the phenom in action from the last two years.  I’m now more excited about his debut than seeing Jeter collect his 3,000^th hit (to an extent). Regardless, this is a great day to be a baseball fan.

And cue the celebratory tunes:

Bottom 2: Colby Rasmus struck out on a foul tip against Bronson Arroyo

Bottom 5: Rasums struck out swinging against Arroyo

Bottom 7: Rasmus singled to center against Arroyo

Bottom 8: Rasmus struck out swinging against Nick Masset

Bottom 10: Rasmus struck out swinging against Sam LeClure

Final Line: 1-for-5, R, 4 K

Notes: Once again, another golden sombrero made possible by an extra-inning game.  I’m kind of surprised that this is only Colby’s first of the season, considering that he repeatedly fails to adjust to a right-hander’s change up.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 66

Top 1: Stephen Drew struck out swinging against Yovani Gallardo

Top 3: Drew called out on strikes against Gallardo

Top 6: Drew struck out swinging against Gallardo

Top 9: Drew struck out swinging against John Axford

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: Gallardo shut down the free-swinging Diamondbacks’ offense on Wednesday night.  More so, he shut down Stephen Drew, who accounted for three of his six strikeouts and finished with a golden sombrero.  I’ve come to learn that in any given game, a DBack’s player has a legitimate shot at a sombrero.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 65

Top 1: Drew Stubbs struck out swinging against Jamie Garcia

Top 3: Stubbs struck out swinging against Garcia

Top 5: Stubbs walked against Garcia

Top 7: Stubbs called out on strikes against Lance Lynn

Top 9: Stubbs struck out swinging against Mitchell Boggs

Final Line: 0-for-4, BB, 4 K, 6 LOB

Notes: Stubbs’ golden sombrero was his second of the season, and at the rate he’s whiffing, it wouldn’t surprise me if he finishes the season with around five.  According to our friend Mevs at Diamond Hoggers, Stubbs has fanned 76 times in his last 46 games and 189 at-bats. Wow.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 64

Bottom 2: Brent Lillibridge struck out swinging against Felipe Paulino

Bottom 3: Lillibridge struck out swinging against Paulino

Bottom 5: Lillibridge struck out swinging against Paulino

Bottom 7: Lillibridge struck out swinging against Louis Coleman

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K, 7 LOB

Notes: Lillibridge looked absolutely clueless at the plate on Tuesday night against the Royals.  It was one of those games where you let the good pitches go by and chase nothing but garbage.  What was most impressive about little Brent’s sombrero, was that he managed to accomplish the feat on only 15 pitches.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 63