Trout up for Best Major Leaguer, Everyday Player
Mike Trout, who just finished another season as arguably the greatest player in the game, has been nominated for two of the most prestigious Esurance MLB Awards.
Coming off a 2014 season in which he was named the American League's Most Valuable Player unanimously, Trout is up for Best Major Leaguer -- the equivalent of an overall MVP -- and Best Everyday Player. The 24-year-old center fielder is also a nominee for Best Defensive Play, thanks to his improbable catch of Jesus Montero's potential home run on Sept. 26, which saw Trout lift his glove about four feet above the fence.
The call that came with it, by Angels play-by-play voice Terry Smith, is up for Best Radio Call. And the grand slam Trout hit for his 30th home run on July 26, which landed inside the "Trout Net" in right-center field, produced a nominee for Best Fan Catch.
For Best Major Leaguer, Trout is competing against D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, Cubs starter Jake Arrieta, Reds first baseman Joey Votto, Astros starter Dallas Keuchel, Dodgers co-aces Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, Nats outfielder Bryce Harper and two of the Blue Jays' biggest stars, third baseman Josh Donaldson and ace pitcher David Price.
For Best Everyday Player, Trout's competition includes Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain, Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz, Giants catcher Buster Posey, Goldschmidt, Cespedes, McCutchen, Donaldson, Harper and Votto.
The Esurance MLB Awards annually honor Major League Baseball's greatest achievements as part of an industry-wide balloting process that includes five components, each of which accounts for 20 percent of the overall vote: media, front-office personnel, retired MLB players, fans at MLB.com and Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) voters.
Individual awards will go to the Best Major Leaguer in addition to the winners in the following categories: The Best Everyday Player, Starting Pitcher, Rookie, Defensive Player, Breakout Player, Bounceback Player, Manager, Executive, Social Media Personality and postseason performer.
Winners will also be recognized for the year's best offensive play, defensive play, Moment, single-game performance, Social Media Post, Celebrity Fan, Fan Catch, Interview, TV call, radio call, Player-Fan Interaction, Video Board Moment and Trending Topic.
Voting will remain open through Nov. 13 by visiting mlb.com/awards. Winners will be announced live on MLB Network and MLB.com on Nov. 20.
Trout finished the 2015 season with a .299/.402/.590 slash line, adding a career-high 41 homers, 92 RBIs, 11 stolen bases, 32 doubles, six triples and 104 runs scored. Those numbers are bound to give Donaldson some competition for the AL MVP Award and will likely have Trout finish in the top two in voting for the fourth consecutive year.
Last year, Trout won the award for Best Everyday Player and barely lost to Kershaw for Best Major Leaguer.