Mike Trout usually has about as many haters as mom and apple pie. That made it particularly funny and unexpected to see the criticism that Trout received on Twitter over the weekend.
Hitting coach Mike Lisle posted a video of the Los Angeles Angels star Trout in the batting cage on Sunday. Lisle jokingly captioned the video with the message, “My friends’ son needs help. Any tips/suggestions?”
My friends’ son needs help.
Any tips/suggestions? pic.twitter.com/De6hoKPlho
— Matt Lisle (@CoachLisle) February 6, 2022
While Lisle was obviously kidding since Trout is one of the very best hitters to ever play the sport, somebody actually took Lisle seriously. The person in charge of the Twitter account for the Evansville Devils, a 17U travel baseball team in Indiana, critiqued Trout’s swing. The person dubbed it a “pitching machine swing” and offered advice on what Trout might be able do better. They then doubled down on the criticism in another tweet.
Pitching machine swing. Works great when you're 8, not so much against any velocity. Work with him on keeping his hands inside the line and keeping shoulders level. Balance is key
— Evansville Devils Baseball (@EvansvilleDevi1) February 6, 2022
I am. That swing gives you one point of contact through the zone. Personally I'll take high average line drive hitters over a .150 avg every once in a while HR all day. Line drives turn into backspin HRSs, uppercut swings are outs
— Evansville Devils Baseball (@EvansvilleDevi1) February 6, 2022
Of course, the person had absolutely no idea that it was Trout, a three-time MVP and all-time great at just 30 years old, whose swing they were dissing. Other Twitter users quickly pointed it out, and the Evansville account was left with egg on its face.
Did not……. pic.twitter.com/10clV2lYyl
— Evansville Devils Baseball (@EvansvilleDevi1) February 6, 2022
Trout himself offered a hilarious reaction to the criticism, responding with several thinking-face emojis.
— Mike Trout (@MikeTrout) February 6, 2022
The nine-time All-Star Trout has one of the most distinctive batting stances and swings in baseball. He did miss most of last year due to a calf injury. But come on! How do you not recognize Trout, especially as a baseball coach?
Trout may not have impressed the Evansville Devils with his baseball swing. But maybe he will be able to do so once they get a load of his golf swing.
Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
