Where Do Trumbo-Trout-Pujols Rank Among MLB's Best Trios?

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The Los Angeles Angels had a dismal start to the 2012 season, but managed to overcome it due to the emergence of young superstars Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo.

Now that Albert Pujols has broken out of his slump, the Angels are poised to make a run in the postseason as expected. Trout, Trumbo, and Pujols have become a force to be reckoned with in Major League Baseball, so it is worth asking the question: Where do the Halos’ trio of hitters rank among the best in MLB?

Let's take a look:

10. Ian Desmond, Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman

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Washington Nationals

If the Washington Nationals have “Natitude”, then it starts with these three players.

Harper is as fun to watch as any player in baseball, and his emergence has helped give life to a team in desperate need of emerging from the depths of the National League.

Ian Desmond has been the team’s best hitter with 104 hits on the year.

9. Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Jim Thome

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Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles have been a surprise team in the American League East, and although they are currently seven-and-a-half games out of first place behind the juggernaut New York Yankees, they have been impressive.

With an average OPS of .816 among the three, it’s easy to see why the Orioles have been so good. Thome is the perfect compliment to Jones and Markakis as a designated hitter with tremendous pop.

8. Andrew McCutcheon, Neil Walker, Pedro Alvarez

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Pittsburgh Pirates

Andrew McCutcheon needs no introduction as he has been one of the most dominant hitters in the National League and leads all of Major League Baseball in batting average at .373 through 91 games.

Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez have provided consistency and power. Together, they’ve given fans in Pittsburgh something to look forward to -- if they can somehow hang on to this young nucleus beyond this season.

7. Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Bautista, Colby Rasmus

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Toronto Blue Jays

The American League East is a tough place to play, and it’s no surprise that the Toronto Blue Jays are the second team on this list from the division.

Jose Bautista leads the team in home runs (27) as expected, but it’s Edwin Encarnacion that has been the catalyst on offense. He has 26 home runs, 67 RBI, and a .971 OPS.

6. Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira

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New York Yankees

Robinson Cano is an MVP candidate, but the ironic thing is that he has two players on his own team that are as gifted as he is offensively.

The New York Yankees lead all of Major League Baseball in home runs, and this dangerous trio of players is responsible for 44 percent of them.

5. Josh Hamilton, Adrian Beltre, Elvis Andrus

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Texas Rangers

On a team so stacked with great hitters, it’s difficult to hone in on just three that have had the greatest impact on the Texas Rangers’ success.

Josh Hamilton is the most feared, but he is followed closely by many of his teammates in terms of his ability to produce on offense.

Adrian Beltre is second on the team in batting average (.343), and Elvis Andrus has been impressive as one of the best hitters in the American League West.

4. Jason Kubel, Paul Goldschmidt, Aaron Hill

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Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks may play in the second-tier National League West, but they have top-tier talent on offense. Their big three hit for average and power in a division filled with pitcher-friendly ballparks.

Though the D-backs are playing just .500 ball through 96 games, they remain within striking distance of the Los Angeles Dodgers. If they make a move, it will be on the shoulders of these three players.  

3. Allen Craig, Matt Holliday, Carlos Beltran

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St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have outstanding continuity and organizational staying power year after year. In 2012, they owe much of their success to the three players mentioned above, and have another shot at the postseason because of their production.

Carlos Beltran leads the Cardinals with 22 home runs, and the Cardinals' lineup is among the most dangerous in the NL.

2. Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Austin Jackson

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Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers may have had an up-and-down season thus far, but it hasn’t been for lack of offensive power from the team’s best hitters. The Tigers are tied with the Chicago White Sox atop the American League Central, and it will take continued results from the middle of this Tigers’ order to translate to success late in the season.

Though the team hasn’t fared among the tops in power numbers, there is no denying that the hitting has been timely enough to keep them in the hunt to this point.

Still, Miguel Cabrera leads the team in home runs with an impressive 24 through July 24.

1. Mike Trout, Mark Trumbo, Albert Pujols

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Los Angeles Angels

It should be no surprise that the Los Angeles Angels’ trio of hitters sit atop the list of MLB’s most potent.

The scariest thing about this group? Albert Pujols is currently the third-best of the three. When factoring in that Mike Trout is a legitimate AL MVP candidate and Mark Trumbo has the power to go yard at any given moment, there’s no limit to how good they can be.