Baseball fans and experts alike were left stunned when Aaron Judge was ranked higher than Mike Trout in the MLB Top 10 players list for the upcoming 2023 season.
While Judge's credentials are certainly impressive, many fans have taken to Twitter to express their disbelief that he could be ranked higher than Trout, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time.
The rankings, which were compiled by a panel of MLB Network experts, placed Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout in third position, behind New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge and Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who is widely considered the best player in the MLB currently.
Many fans argued that Judge's high ranking is largely due to his popularity and marketability, rather than his on-field performance.
Judge, who is known for his towering home runs and exceptional defensive play, has certainly had an impressive career so far. He was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 2017 and has been selected to the All-Star team three times. However, he has also been plagued by injuries throughout his career, which has limited his playing time and raised questions about his durability.
Mike Trout, on the other hand, has been a model of consistency throughout his career. He has consistently put up incredible numbers year after year, and his combination of power, speed, and defensive prowess is unmatched in the game. In addition to his individual accolades, he has also led the Angels to the playoffs on several occasions, though they have yet to win a World Series title.
Can Mike Trout win the World Series and cement his name as an all-time great?
Regardless of the reasoning behind the rankings, it is clear that many fans and analysts feel strongly that Mike Trout should be ranked ahead of Aaron Judge. Trout's consistent dominance over the past decade, along with his proven track record of success, make him a favorite among fans and experts alike.
Ultimately, the debate over whether Judge deserves to be ranked higher than Trout is likely to continue throughout the upcoming season. One way for Mike Trout to turn the tide is to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a World Series title.