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Boston Red Sox: Closer look at Mookie Betts v. Mike Trout for AL MVP

By Tracy Katzke

Oct 7, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) hits a single against the Cleveland Indians in the sixth inning during game two of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) hits a single against the Cleveland Indians in the sixth inning during game two of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) reacts after scoring a run in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) reacts after scoring a run in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

The Numbers:

The offensive numbers of Trout and Betts are eerily similar. Betts produced a .318/.363/.534 slash, compared to Trout’s .315/.441/.550. Betts hit 31 HRs compared to Trout’s 29, and drove in 113 runs compared to Trout’s 110. Betts had 214 hits compared to Trout’s 173. The only significant advantage held by Trout was bases on balls; Trout collected 116 of them while Betts drew only 48 free passes. These walks account for Trout’s significantly greater OBP.

In addition, Trout had an OPS+ of 174 compared to Betts’ 131. In a November 17, 2016 article by Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald, he eloquently points out that offensively, the two compared very similarly with the exception of bases on balls and hits. It should be noted that Betts led the Major Leagues in total bases with 359, while Trout finished with 302.

Trout bested Betts in WAR with a 10.6 to 9.6 advantage.

Perhaps Trout had a better year offensively, although if he did, it was by the slimmest of margins.

Defensively, however, Betts outclassed Trout, and by a substantial margin. According to FanGraphs, Betts saved 32 Defensive Runs; as compared to Trout’s six. Furthermore, Betts had 14 outfield assists while Trout had only seven. Lastly, Betts won a Gold Glove, an award voted on by MLB managers and coaches, while Trout was not even nominated as one of the three center fielders eligible to win the award.

Perhaps the most significant stat of all was that Betts led his team to 93 wins and an AL East championship, while the Angels finished with a mere 74 wins, one spot above the division basement.

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