Trout optimistic he can regain top form

Despite the Angels slugger enduring another vexing season, he’s confident that he can be dominant again.

- By GreG BEACHAM

ERIC THAYER Associated Press
ANGELS veteran Mike Trout reached two milestones this season: His 1,000th career RBI and his 400th career home run.

Mike Troutis in the final week of a profoundly frustrating season. Hisnumbersat the plate have been shockingly pedestrian amid regular struggles with his swing mechanics, and he misses playing in the outfield.

Yet Trout remains optimistic and engaged — and the 34-year-old slugger says he still believes he can recapture his MVP form with the Angels.

“Yeah, I'm very confident,” Trout said Tuesday. “I think it sounds funny, but I joke about it with all the guys in there — when I see the ball, I’m good. When I don’t see it, man, it’s a battle.”

Trout entered Wednesday’s game batting .227 with 22 homers, 59 RBIs and a .768 OPS. Those totals are all the lowest of his career during a season in which he’s played at least 100 games, and the OPS is his lowest since his first majorleague seasonin 2011.

Trout reached two big career milestones this season, getting his 1,000th RBI on July 27 and hitting his 400th home run last Saturday.

But after making baseball seem so joyously simple during his first decade in the majors, this 11-time All-Star admits he has been in a weekly fight for consistency at the plate.

“Tt’s been a grind this year, no doubt,” Trout said. “That’s what sports do to you. You're not going to go out there and just get a hit every time or feel good every time. I get that. But it’s great to be able to get some confidence going into the offseason.”