Ahead of Team USA scrimmage, SF Giants’ Kapler says Mike Trout is ‘the best player ever’
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Gabe Kapler was giddy with excitement Wednesday afternoon.
The Giants manager had just arrived in the first-base dugout for his pregame session with reporters before San Francisco’s scheduled scrimmage with Team USA ahead of the World Baseball Classic. Kapler took one look at the Americans’ lineup and couldn’t contain himself.
“It’s ridiculous,” he said, smiling. “It’s so fun.”
Considered to be among the favorites, along with equally stacked teams from Japan and the Dominican Republic, the Americans’ lineup Wednesday evening, “you could say it’s better than a lot of the All-Star lineups,” Kapler said. In fact, one through nine, the batting order boasted 40 All-Star appearances, 30 Silver Sluggers and five MVPs. Their No. 9 hitter was last year’s National League batting champion.
One player, though, Kapler was most excited to see.
The one who accounts for three of those MVP awards, who was penciled in to bat second and play center field for the U.S., whom Kapler declared the greatest player of all time. That’s right: At age 31, Mike Trout has already established himself as the GOAT, according to Kapler.
“I think we’re seeing the best player ever,” Kapler said. “I’m always excited to be a part of that. Spring training or regular season, just to catch a glimpse of that. I have so much respect for his work ethic and who he is on and off the field. I always get excited when he’s around.”
What about Willie Mays? Babe Ruth? Mickey Mantle?
“Mays is certainly front and center there,” Kapler said. “Babe Ruth belongs in the conversation. Mantle belongs in the conversation, in my opinion.
“I’m a blend of the eye test and traditional numbers and advanced numbers, and I think (Trout) checks just about every box. … When I think about Babe Ruth, I don’t know what that looked like. I don’t even know what the competition was like. But I know what the competition is here, and those guys are doing it.”
The Giants don’t see much of Trout — there are 12 other teams he has fewer career plate appearances against — but will more often starting this season, with MLB’s new balanced schedule promising at least one series against each team every season. In 13 regular-season games against San Francisco, Trout has five home runs and a .373 batting average. Overall, Trout’s 82.1 career Fangraphs WAR is 20% higher than any other active position player (second: Miguel Cabrera, 68.6) and 35th all-time, having already eclipsed the likes of Roberto Clemente (80.6) and Ken Griffey Jr. (77.7).
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, Trout is “just so different than anybody else,” Kapler said.
“He’s just way more physical than anybody,” Kapler said. “Like, true linebacker size. Linebacker size and speed. Just explosive. … Just continuing to see Mike Trout up close is a thrill as a baseball fan.”
Lineups
That vaunted lineup Team USA rolled out Wednesday evening:
1. Mookie Betts, RF
2. Mike Trout, CF
3. Kyle Schwarber, DH
4. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
5. Nolan Arenado, 3B
6. Kyle Tucker, LF
7. Trea Turner, SS
8. J.T. Realmuto, C
9. Jeff McNeil, 2B
SP: Miles Mikolas
The Giants matched with a starting nine that closely resembled what can be expected on Opening Day. However, Kapler said, “I wouldn’t go that far. … It’s definitely a lineup that we’re proud to put out there.” The notable absence was Michael Conforto, who is expected to play one of the corner-outfield spots, while LaMonte Wade Jr. shifts to first base and Joc Pederson as designated hitter.
1. LaMonte Wade Jr., RF
2. Mitch Haniger, LF
3. Joc Pederson, 1B
4. Wilmer Flores, DH
5. Brandon Crawford, SS
6. David Villar, 3B
7. Mike Yastrzemski, CF
8. Thairo Estrada, 2B
9. Joey Bart, C
SP: Anthony DeSclafani