Who’s Best in 2019: Springer or Trout?

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Old-timers like me find it tedious when people say things like Mike Trout is the Mickey Mantle of our age. I watched Mickey Mantle play. I knew Mickey Mantle. Mickey Mantle was a friend of mine. Mickey Mantle, you’re no Mike Trout.

But Mike Trout, in 2019, you’re no George Springer.

Here’s the statistical breakdown as of 5-13-19.

George Springer slash line: .321 BA, .400 OBP, .660 SLG, 1.060 OPS.

Mike Trout slash line:.......... .283 BA, .460 OBP, .575 SLG, 1.035 OPS.

Springer’s BA is 7th in the AL, SLG is first, OPS is first. And although Mike Trout’s absurd 22% walk rate gives him the league lead in OBP, would anyone have thought that George Springer would be…