Trout's stolen bases have gone from 49 to 33 to 16 over the last three years, even though he's every bit the explosive athletic specimen he always has been. Is he simply settling into the 15- to 20-steals range, like so many of the great all-around players did when their power became more pronounced?
"Not really," Trout said prior to Monday's series opener with the Astros. "That's just how it's been the last couple weeks. I just haven't had a chance to go. Situations have been dictating that."
Trout brought up the fact that Albert Pujols has been swinging the bat well, making him less willing to risk getting thrown out or of setting up an intentional walk with first base open.