Young Los Angeles Angels center fielder Nelson Rada has been looking up to one of the best in the business in Mike Trout. The 18-year-old is an up-and-coming center fielder who was a surprise invitee to the team's major league spring training camp this year.
For someone in Rada's position, there are few better to have as a role model than Trout — an 11-time All-Star and three-time AL Most Valuable Player.
Rada, who finished last season in the low Class-A California League, is absorbing this chance to watch a player like Trout as he gets to participate at camp. He spoke with reporters recently about what it's like getting to watch Trout on a day-to-day basis.
“I haven’t talked much with him, but I’ve been watching him during workouts and seeing just how he works. And I’ve been watching how he plays. There’s a lot I can learn from him.”
— Nelson Rada, via Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com.
Of course, one of the biggest benefits of getting to train and practice alongside Trout is not only seeing how good he is, but how well he prepares. Trout has long been lauded for his behind-the-scenes work, which will be great for a player like Rada to take in before he heads back to the minor leagues.
For Rada's part, he's made his own impression through the action he's seen in Spring Training. In four games of action and six at-bats, Rada has recorded two hits, two RBIs and two walks. He's also already stolen three bases — a skill that will likely make him stand as he nears his major league debut.
More must-reads: