Trout moving to right field: Shift 'best for me'
Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout will have a new position in 2025.
After several injury-plagued seasons, the three-time MVP announced Monday he'll be moving to right field from his longtime position of center.
The decision was made after a discussion between Trout and the coaching staff.
"(We) kinda just threw everything on the table, as in what's best for me, body-wise, keeping me on the field," he said, per MLB Network. "(We) came to the conclusion that I'm gonna go to right field. I like it, try it out, see where it goes.
He added, "I knew it was coming. But just gotta get used to it. I just want to be on the field."
Trout added he may still play center field on occasion and will likely get some games at designated hitter. However, right will be his primary defensive position going forward.
Trout has been one of baseball's premier center fielders but has played just 17 games in right during his career and none since his rookie season in 2012. The majority of his 141 appearances in a corner spot came as a left fielder, although he hasn't played there since 2013.
The 33-year-old has struggled to stay on the field over the last several years. Trout hasn't played more than 140 games in a season since 2018 and last played 150-plus in his MVP-winning 2016 campaign.
In 2023, he appeared in 82 games before a broken hamate bone ended his season in July. Last year, a torn meniscus in late April ended his campaign after just 29 contests.
The Angels previously discussed a position switch with Trout when Joe Maddon was the manager, but the superstar wasn't ready at the time.
"Just look at my last couple years," Trout said when asked what changed his mind. "Just trying to preserve the legs and go out there and run some balls out in right."
Trout has a model for the switch in former Angels teammate Torii Hunter, who moved from center to right late in his career. He plans to take notes from Hunter, who will be in Angels camp as a guest instructor this spring.
With Trout now in right, Jo Adell and Mickey Moniak could split time in center. Moniak was one of L.A.'s primary center fielders after Trout's injury last season.
An 11-time All-Star and nine-time Silver Slugger, Trout owns a lifetime .991 OPS with 378 home runs and 954 RBIs during his decorated career.