Mike Trout is widely regarded as the best player in baseball, a true five-tool superstar who made the All-Star team seven times before turning 27.
Nationals infielder
Howie Kendrick knows Trout well, having played with him on the Angels from 2011-14. And in 20-year old phenom
Juan Soto, Kendrick believes he's found a player reminiscent of the two-time MVP.
"I played with another guy that was just like that and his name was Mike Trout. The guy came in and would play the game, wanted to win every day and had a great attitude every single day. I see a lot of those same similarities with Juan." -Kendrick on Soto
— Brittany Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli)
February 18, 2019 More Kendrick: "Probably not as speedy as Trout but he [Soto> does a lot of similar things that Mike does." High praise.
— Brittany Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli)
February 18, 2019 "I played with another guy that was just like that and his name was Mike Trout," Kendrick said of Soto Monday, the Nats' full squad report day at spring training. "The guy came in and would play the game, wanted to win every day and had a great attitude every single day. I see a lot of those same similarities with Juan."
Soto launched himself into the conversation as one of baseball's best young players with a breakout rookie season in 2018. As a 19-year old, he finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year race after hitting .292 with 22 home runs, 70 runs batted in. He also set MLB teenage records in OBP (.406), OPS (.923) and walks (79).
"Probably not as speedy as Trout, but (Soto) does a lot of similar things that Mike does," Kendrick added.
