Mike Trout: Los Angeles Angels Rookie Takes Home AL Best of the Night Award

Folks on the East Coast are missing out. While they sleep, Los Angeles Angels rookie outfielder Mike Trout dominates.

And it is glorious.

On Monday night at Dodger Stadium, Mike Trout had a typical Mike Trout game against the Dodgers, which is to say he put his teammates on his back and more or less won the game single-handedly. The Angels won by the final score of 3-2, and Trout had a hand in each of the three runs the Angels scored.

Trout's evening started slow, as he struck out swinging against Chris Capuano in the first inning and then flew out to left in the second inning. His presence was not felt until the fourth inning.

That inning, Trout found himself at the plate with one out and Garrett Richards, the Angels' starting pitcher, at first base. Richards, however, was caught napping out at first base by Capuano, who picked him off with a quick throw over to first base.

It looked at that point like the Dodgers were going to get out of the inning unscathed, but Trout proceeded to launch a long home run to left field that very nearly landed in the second deck. Like that, the Dodgers' 2-0 lead was sliced in half.

Bill, a baseball writer for ThePlatoonAdvantage.com and Baseball Prospectus, decided to poke some fun at Trout on Twitter:

"

Mike Trout has a lot to learn. You hit that ball BEFORE the pitcher gets picked off, kid.

— Bill (@Bill_TPA) June 12, 2012"

Indeed. Fortunately, Trout would make up for the missed opportunity later in the game.

Trout came up in the sixth inning with two outs and Erick Aybar on second base, and he hit a soft line drive off the end of the bat that landed in front of Andre Ethier in right field. Aybar was able to score easily to tie the game at 2-2, and Trout advanced to second on the throw.

Though Torii Hunter failed to bring him home, Trout tried to make it easier for him by stealing third.

Trout's final at-bat came leading off the ninth inning. He eventually walked after working the count full against Kenley Jansen, and then, he stole second base.

With one out and first base open, the Dodgers made the mistake of pitching to Albert Pujols. He singled to left field to bring home Trout, and that proved to be the winning run.

So all told, Trout collected two hits in four at-bats, scored two runs, drove in two runs, hit a home run and stole two bases. Even by his usual standards, that's a damn good game.

If you missed any of it, MLB.com has the video highlights.

Trout has been in the big leagues for well over a month at this point, and his numbers are starting to get scary.

He's hitting .354/.412/.565 with a .977 OPS. He has six home runs, 27 RBI, 35 runs scored and an AL-best 15 stolen bases (tied with Jason Kipnis) in just 40 games played.He's played Gold Glove-caliber defense in the outfield, as well.

And he's still only 20 years old. 

Trout's production has definitely given the Angels a boost. Major League Baseball summed it up nicely on Twitter:

"

Since Mike Trout made his 2012 debut on April 28, @Angels have gone 27-15 and now sit 2 1/2 games off the AL West lead.

— MLB Stat of the Day (@MLBStatoftheDay) June 12, 2012"

This, my friends, is why Trout should be considered a top-five American League MVP candidate. It goes without saying that he's the man to beat in the Rookie of the Year race.

For the time being, Trout can enjoy his American League "Best of the Night" award. This is the first time I've given it to him since his call-up, though I have to admit that the honor is long overdue.

No matter, Trout will win the award again at some point this season. And then, again and again and again and again throughout his career.

If you ever want to nominate somebody for American League "Best of the Night" honors, hit me up on Twitter.