This isn't really surprising, but given the incredible talent possessed by
Angels phenom
Mike Trout, it's worth mentioning: The Angels have demoted Trout to Triple-A, the club announced Friday.
The 20-year-old outfielder was a longshot to make the Angels out of spring training due to a pretty big logjam of outfielder/designated hitter types.
Peter Bourjos has center field locked down, just as
Torii Hunter does right field. In left, one had to assume
Vernon Wells was going to get every chance to start everyday this season, given his gigantic salary. Since
Albert Pujols is now the first baseman, that leaves
Kendrys Morales,
Mark Trumbo and
Bobby Abreu competing for DH at-bats.
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Plus, Trout battled illness this spring and only got seven plate appearances (hitting .167 with a .286 OBP).
And then there's the development question. Even if Trout is better than some of those names listed above -- which is a pretty good bet -- there's no reason to have him on the big-league roster if he's not going to play everyday. While he played 40 games for the Angels last year, he's only played 91 games in Double-A and zero in Triple-A.
Trout hit .220/.281/.390 with five homers, 16 RBI and six doubles in 135 plate appearances for the Angels last season.
In other Angels' roster news, 39-year-old relief pitcher
Jason Isringhausen has won a spot in the bullpen (
MLB.com).
