Angels Make Mike Trout Decision as MLB History Nears

Mike Trout Removed From Angels Lineup as MLB History Approaches

Trout is currently approaching MLB history as he aims to become the 59th player ever to record 400 career home runs.

Unfortunately, he’s been stuck at 398 since early August, and ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Texas Rangers, he was not in the lineup—most likely receiving a mental reset day.

August Slump Highlights Trout’s Struggles at the Plate

In August, Trout’s numbers have dipped below his usual standard as he nears a major career milestone. He’s posted a .231 batting average and a .706 OPS—his worst of any month this season, signaling a drop in power.

Trout himself acknowledged the slump. “The stuff I’m doing in the cage feels good, feels right,” he told Jeff Fletcher of the OC Register. “Just the last few games fell off in the game.”

Legends Have Faced Similar Slumps Before Historic Moments

Trout isn’t the only player to struggle while approaching a major milestone:

• Ichiro Suzuki (3,000 hits): In 2016, Ichiro went 0-for-11 over seven games before reaching 3,000 with a triple at Coors Field.
• Ken Griffey Jr. (600 home runs): Griffey endured a 90 at-bat drought between his 597th and 598th homers before finally reaching 600.
• Aaron Judge (AL single-season HR record): Judge went nine games without a home run, causing doubt about whether he would break the record—before ultimately tying and surpassing Roger Maris with 62.

Trout will have one more month to reach the 400-home run mark, and given his legendary status, it’s likely he’ll get there—just as the greats before him did.