Has Mike Trout ever been in a slump? Looking back at 11x All-Star's 3 worst seasons

It will be hard to find a slump in the illustrious MLB career of Mike Trout, who has been the face of the league for the last decade and so. The 11-time All-Star's resume includes three AL MVPs and nine Silver Slugger Awards, ensuring his placement among the baseball greats in Cooperstown once he is done with baseball.

The only void in his career so far is postseason accomplishment. But again, baseball is a team sport and an individual player can only do so much.

Even Trout's worst seasons are arguably good compared to general standards. To be fair in assessment and have enough sample size, seasons where he played less than 100 games – which includes his rookie season in 2011 – and 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024 are not considered.

3 worst seasons of Mike Trout's career ranked

#3. 2014 season

MLB: ALDS-Los Angeles Angels at Kansas City Royals Credit: IMAGN

Now this should surprise some fans, but going by the numbers, despite him getting crowned the AL MVP, this was Mike Trout's third-worst season. He recorded his third-worst WAR (7.7) and fifth-worst oWAR (8.8) that year. Most importantly, defensively, he had his second-worst performance in the outfield, registering a -0.7 dWAR.

Furthermore, he was struck out a career-high 184 times and also could only grind out 83 walks across 705 plate appearances. He finished the year, batting .287 with 36 home runs, 48 extra base hits, an AL-leading 111 RBIs, 16 stolen bases and an MLB-leading 115 runs scored.

This was the year when the Los Angeles Angels awarded Trout with a six-year, $144.5 million extension. This was also the last time the Angels qualified for a postseason spot. However, they lost in the AL divisional series against the Kansas City Royals.

#2. 2017 season

MLB: Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels Credit: IMAGN

The 2017 season was Trout's second-worst in terms of WAR (7.2) and oWAR (7.2). Defensively, he recorded 0.0 dWAR, only better than his 2014 and 2013 seasons. Notably, he was selected as an All-Star and finished fourth in MVP voting, but missed out on Silver Slugger award.

Trout only played 114 games that season after he sprained his left thumb, resulting in him missing 39 games before he finally returned on July 14. Despite him missing significant time, he led his team in runs (92), home runs (33), stolen bases (22), walks (94) and batting average (.306).

The Angels finished with an 80-82 record for the season, placing them second in AL West. However, they missed the postseason.

#1. 2022 season

MLB: Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics Credit: IMAGN

By this time, Mike Trout was already replaced by Shohei Ohtani as the Angels' biggest superstar. Fair to say, 2022 marked his biggest decline with him registering his lowest WAR (4.6) and oWAR (6.3) among all seasons under consideration. He slashed .283/.369/.630 with 40 home runs and 80 RBIs in 119 games.

He missed time between July and August after being diagnosed with a rare back disorder called costovertebral dysfunction. He still earned an All-Star selection, was voted eighth for MVP and also brought home Silver Slugger hardware. The Angels finished the year 73-89, once again missing out on a postseason spot.

So far this season, Trout is averaging .220 with 10 home runs, 14 RBIs and a .867 OPS.