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Of all the great physical tools Mike Trout possesses, his pure power may well be his most impressive. Case in point, Trout now owns the longest home run hit in MLB this season according to ESPN's HitTracker after walloping one an estimated 489 feet into the center field fountains at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Friday night.
The Angels broadcast team mentioned "Bo Jackson territory" in their call. At one time, it absolutely was, but not even Jackson hit one that far. His longest home run on record at Kauffman Stadium was 475 feet on Sept. 14, 1986. Oddly enough, that was the first of Jackson's 141 career home runs, and up until Friday it was also the longest in the ballpark's 31 year history.
With that in mind, it should be noted the Royals are calling it 445 feet, so they may not recognize it as the longest home run. Here's where the difference comes in. *
Here's something you may not have known about his home run hitting prowess. In 2013, he led MLB in average home run distance at just under 420 feet. That topped, Stanton, Justin Upton, Yoenis Cespedes and all of baseball's most prolific sluggers.
Despite Friday's blast, Trout may have trouble repeating in that category. Stanton already has five home runs of at least 450 feet this season.*
Looking at the big picture, it's really amazing to think of the many different ways Trout can change a game. More times than not it's his sparlking defense that stands out or his ability to get on base, but this was already Trout's 80th career home run in just 410 games. He's a home run hitter as much as he is anything else. Holes in his game are non-existent. Every skill is a strength, and an elite strength at that.
And he's only 23. The best is still yet to come.*
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
Check out the monster 489-foot home run by Mike Trout for the @Angels tonight: pic.twitter.com/wRccgjRDOS
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 28, 2014
The first inning solo blast off former teammate Jason Vargas bested the previous mark set by*Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton on April 4. Stanton's homer's traveled an estimated 484 at Marlins Park. It's also the longest in MLB since Stanton hit one an estimated 494 feet feet on August 17, 2012.*— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 28, 2014
The Angels broadcast team mentioned "Bo Jackson territory" in their call. At one time, it absolutely was, but not even Jackson hit one that far. His longest home run on record at Kauffman Stadium was 475 feet on Sept. 14, 1986. Oddly enough, that was the first of Jackson's 141 career home runs, and up until Friday it was also the longest in the ballpark's 31 year history.
With that in mind, it should be noted the Royals are calling it 445 feet, so they may not recognize it as the longest home run. Here's where the difference comes in. *
FYI. HR Tracker estimates "true distance" -- how far ball would have traveled if unimpeded. Royals must have just measured to spot it hit
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) June 28, 2014
At either distance, it was an incredible display of power by Trout.— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) June 28, 2014
Here's something you may not have known about his home run hitting prowess. In 2013, he led MLB in average home run distance at just under 420 feet. That topped, Stanton, Justin Upton, Yoenis Cespedes and all of baseball's most prolific sluggers.
Despite Friday's blast, Trout may have trouble repeating in that category. Stanton already has five home runs of at least 450 feet this season.*
Looking at the big picture, it's really amazing to think of the many different ways Trout can change a game. More times than not it's his sparlking defense that stands out or his ability to get on base, but this was already Trout's 80th career home run in just 410 games. He's a home run hitter as much as he is anything else. Holes in his game are non-existent. Every skill is a strength, and an elite strength at that.
And he's only 23. The best is still yet to come.*
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:
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