Angels' Mike Trout position decision might be secret behind resurgence in 2026

Through the first four games of the 2026 regular season, it looks as if superstar and future Hall of Famer Mike Trout has returned to form.

It's only been a few games and one series, but Trout's start has been very encouraging. He might be in the middle of a resurgent season, and there's one position decision that the Angels made that might be behind this return to stardom.

As ESPN's David Schoenfield noted, Trout returning to center field, instead of parking at designated hitter all year, might be the reason behind his resurgence to begin the year.

Mike Trout's CF return might be reason for hot start

"The plan to play him regularly in center field has been widely criticized, but maybe it is the best idea," Schoenfield writes. "... When Ohtani pitched, he was in the lineup. He's a baseball player. Let him be a baseball player. Maybe the same logic will apply to Trout."

Trout sticking in center field and letting him be as involved as he was during his peak playing days might be the catalyst behind a resurgence this season.

Schonefield pointed to Joe Maddon's decision in 2021 to let Shohei Ohtani play more often, starting as the designated hitter the day before his starts at pitcher, and keeping him in the lineup when it was time for Ohtani to pitch.

Instead of holding the player back with the fear of injury or poor play, let them play a full season in their primary role, and let these star players play baseball.

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It's not some ground-breaking idea from the Angels, but it's a simple one that many, as Schoenfield noted, didn't think highly of.

There's no telling if this is actually a reason for Trout's resurgence to begin the year, but it would hardly be a surprise if Trout, being more involved in the outfield, led to a better year at the plate.

It's not like Trout is a player with a ton of concerns. His power is still there, he's a great threat at the plate, and he even flashed some leather in the outfield against the Houston Astros to begin the season.

Trout might be back, and while it's very early in the season, his return to form could have to do with his return to center field. Even if he's not as good as he once was defensively, if it leads to a return to stardom at the plate, it's more than worth the risk.

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