Superstars Trout, Giancarlo admire each other

May 26th, 2017
All-Stars Mike Trout and Giancarlo Stanton are playing a three-game series in Miami this weekend. (AP)

MIAMI -- Batting practice had a lot more sizzle on Friday night at Marlins Park. The must-see attractions were when Miami was warming up, and when it was the Angels' turn to hit.
For the first time since 2014, the Marlins faced the Angels, and it marked Los Angeles' first trip to Marlins Park, which opened in 2012.
Trout, again having an MVP-caliber season, had never played in South Florida. He is a virtual lock to return to Miami in a couple of months, representing the Angels in the 2017 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard on July 11 at Marlins Park.
Before Friday's series started, Trout couldn't help but watch Stanton taking BP, and Stanton shares high admiration for the Angels outfielder.
"Amazing player, of course," Stanton said of Trout. "Is this the last ballpark on his list? I don't know if he has homers in every park, but we've got to keep him off this one."

In batting practice, the deep dimensions were no match for Trout, who connected on a number of warmup shots that cleared the wall. One of his most impressive homers was a drive high off the batter's eye, well beyond the 407 marker in center.
Stanton did his usual batting practice display, crushing balls onto the concourse. He later knocked a two-run, first-inning homer.
"I got to see [Stanton] a little bit in the Derby last year," Trout said. "His power is unbelievable."

Stanton was the star of the 2016 Home Run Derby, setting a record with 61 homers and claiming the crown at Petco Park.

Stanton and Trout are among the most feared hitters in the game and do major damage when they connect.
"It's always the same," Stanton said of Trout's approach. "It's always calculated. He always has a set plan. He will get you in a lot of ways, offensively and defensively. Those guys are very dangerous."
Per Statcast™, the average distance of balls Trout puts in play is 209.32 feet, well above the Major League average of 186.40 feet. Stanton's average distance is 199.15 feet.
When it comes to their respective average home run distances, Statcast™ has Stanton at 420 feet, and Trout at 407.
"Hopefully, he won't hit some off us, but he's a great player, and a great dude," Trout said of Stanton.