Is the old Trout back? A few games in, looks like it

This story was excerpted from Rhett Bollinger’s Angels Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Is the old Mike Trout back?

It sure looks like it so far, and it’s been one of the biggest and best storylines in baseball after the first weekend of games, as Trout put up MVP-like numbers in the Angels’ four-game series against the Astros. Trout went 6-for-13 with two homers, three RBIs, seven walks and even stole a base on Opening Day on Thursday.

Trout made some history in the process, extending his club record with his fifth career Opening Day blast while becoming just the second player in AL/NL history since 1900 to reach base at least four times and homer in each of his first two games, joining Amos Otis (1977 with the Royals). But while the numbers have been impressive, manager Kurt Suzuki is even more pleased by the way Trout has been enjoying himself now that he’s healthy and back to playing center field after a brief move to right last year.

“The results are tremendous, but I think it’s more just seeing Mike enjoy himself out there and play the game like I played against him when he was younger,” Suzuki said. “Seeing that energy, seeing that positivity, that confidence, it's just been so infectious on everybody, coaches included. That’s the Mike that everybody grew up watching as a younger player. I just think the vibes have been awesome.”

Trout, a three-time AL MVP and an 11-time All-Star, made an impact in all four games in Houston, reaching base four times in the opener, four more times on Friday, three times on Saturday and adding a key hit to spark a four-run rally on Sunday. He also made a great diving catch in center to take away a hit from Jose Altuve in the third inning on Saturday and even reached a sprint speed of 29.9 feet per second while running to first base trying to beat out a grounder later in the game.

Trout, 34, is clearly healthy after dealing with left knee issues the last two years, stemming from tearing his meniscus twice during the ’24 season and sustaining a bone bruise in that same knee in April of ’25. He missed a month with the injury last year but was never the same as a designated hitter the rest of the way, as he clearly wasn’t 100 percent. He played in 130 games, his most since 2019, but batted .232/.359/.439 with 26 homers, 64 RBIs and two stolen bases.

But Trout fixed his mechanics late in the season after he finally reached 400 career homers to finish with a flourish, and it’s carried over into this season.

“It's been great,” said catcher Travis d’Arnaud, who has become one of Trout’s closest friends. “I remember being on the other side watching it, and obviously last year wasn't the year he wanted. It's still pretty special to watch in my eyes. And that wasn't him at 100 percent, or even 90 percent. To see him doing this now is pretty special.”

Trout has credited new hitting coaches Brady Anderson, Derek Florko and John Mabry for helping him stay consistent with his swing. He said an issue last season was moving his head before his swing, which led to issues with recognizing pitches and he saw his strikeout rate soar as a result.

But Trout has struck out just five times in 24 plate appearances this year and is seeing the ball much better, especially with his impressive walk rate in the early going and going 3-for-4 in ABS challenges. His early season slash line is an impressive .353/.542/.706, and he led all Major Leaguers with 0.6 fWAR through Sunday.

“Like I’ve said before, me and the hitting coaches talk about it, and it’s just keeping that routine going,” Trout said. “I feel really good out there.”

Trout’s resurgence has been refreshing for the Angels and has helped them get off to a strong start offensively, scoring 25 runs through their first four games, buoyed by an MLB-leading nine homers and 28 walks. And nobody in the clubhouse is shocked by what they’ve been seeing from a generational superstar now that he’s healthy.

“It's Mike Trout,” catcher Logan O’Hoppe said. “No one is surprised in here. We’re glad we got him on our side. That’s for damn sure.”