Shadow of a Trout: AL MVP on HOF trajectory

OK, we already know Mike Trout is peerless these days as the ultimate baseball player, with only Bryce Harper visible in his rear-view mirror. So let’s discuss his future as somebody racing toward the city limits of Cooperstown to rank among the all-time greats.

Mike Trout, Mike Trout, Mike Trout.

Is this Angels center fielder who prospers at the plate, in the field and on the bases closer to Ken Griffey Jr. or Mickey Mantle? I can see a bit of Al Kaline, and goodness knows, when you analyze his stats, he resembles Ted Williams at times, along with Mel Ott, Frank Robinson and even Hank Aaron, who joins Willie Mays as the most complete players in baseball history.

Let’s get the qualifiers out of the way. Trout will spend the rest of his Major League career morphing into some or most of the Baseball Hall of Famers I just named, but only if he avoids a slew of injuries, and only if he . . . Well, that health thing is about the only thing that could alter Trout’s destiny. In fact, here is something frightening for opposing teams to consider regarding this high-energy player who keeps shifting to higher gears: He is as durable as they come after missing just an average of eight games a year through his five full seasons in the Major Leagues.

Trout can play, too. He learned he won his second American League Most Valuable Player Award in three years on Thursday night. The only other folks ever to have that many MVP honors at 25 years old or under were Johnny Bench, Stan Musial, Jimmie Foxx and Mantle.

So we’ve just added a few more Hall of Famers to the growing list of Trout lookalikes.

“To win [the league’s MVP Award] one time, it’s hard to do,” Trout told reporters during a conference call after he received the news. “Twice? You saw my emotions tonight. It was something special. All the hard work, you just put …

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