"When he moved to National League, I was pretty happy" - Mike Trout once named a 3x Cy Young winner as the toughest pitcher he ever faced

Los Angeles Angels Star Mike Trout & Texas Rangers Ace Max Scherzer

Mike Trout has been around the game for a long time. He got his big-league start in 2011 and has not looked back since. Despite these injury-riddled seasons he has endured lately, he is one of the best players in the league.

Trout will head into his 15th season in 2025, meaning he has faced a ton of pitchers during his career. He has faced everything from future Hall of Famers to guys who only stuck around for a season.

Back in 2017, Trout joined The Rich Eisen Show, where he was asked who has been the toughest pitcher he has faced throughout his career. It did not take long for the 11-time All-Star to come up with his answer.

"You know, I haven't faced him in a while, when he moved to the National League, I was pretty happy, [but] probably [Max] Scherzer. Scherzer is nasty," said Trout.

Trout named three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer the hardest pitcher he had faced. Trout believed his mix of high velocity and breaking balls made him feared.

"He's got all kinds of pitches going every which way and he throws 100 mph, so it's tough to pick up" said Trout.

There is a reason Scherzer has won three Cy Young Awards. Many other hitters likely feel the same way as Trout does.

Mike Trout has been hard at work this offseason

Los Angeles Angels - Mike Trout (Photo via IMAGN)

The 2024 season was a disaster for Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels. He played in just 29 games after he tore his meniscus twice, which ended his season after getting surgery the second time.

This was not the reason Trut or the fanbase was hoping for. They had high expectations that the slugger would stay on the field for much of the year.

Having to watch from the sidelines as he could not help his club was something that ate at Trout. He is a huge competitor and he could not help but feel like he let his team down.

This may have stuck with him as Trout has shown off his new physique during a Christmas photobomb. He looks exceptionally lean.