Angels part ways with scout involved in Trout pick

ANAHEIM -- Greg Morhardt, a scout who played a key role in the decision to take Mike Trout in the first round five years ago, has been informed by the Angels that he will not have his contract renewed for 2015.

The Angels declined to specify a reason for their decision to not bring Morhardt back. CBSSports.com first reported the news.

Morhardt was a Minor League outfielder and first baseman in the Twins and Tigers systems from 1984-89, then became an area scout and most recently served as a national cross-checker for the Angels.

In the springs leading up to the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, Morhardt pegged Trout as a future star while most teams shied away from the high school position player from New Jersey. Ultimately the Angels landed Trout, now widely considered the best player in the game, with the 25th overall pick.

The scouting director at the time, Eddie Bane, was let go by ex-Angels general manager Tony Reagins toward the end of the 2010 season.