After years of frustrating injuries that limited him to just 531 games out of a possible 972, Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout is finally back to full health—and he's reminding everyone why he's a future Hall of Famer. Through the first 35 games of the 2026 season, the three-time MVP is slashing .250 with a .954 OPS, 10 home runs (fifth in the American League), and a perfect 5-for-5 on stolen bases. It's the kind of resurgence that has early-season MVP buzz building around the 33-year-old outfielder.

Trout hasn't looked like his vintage self since 2019, but this year, the old magic is back. A recent poll of over 40 MLB.com experts ranked him fifth in the American League MVP race, with many noting that his hot start could threaten reigning MVP Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. MLB.com's Jason Foster put it perfectly: "Seeing Trout's name on this list just feels right, even if it's been a while for the three-time AL MVP. But this season, he's looked a lot like the Mike Trout of old. His 10 homers are tied for fifth-most in the AL, while his .433 on-base percentage ranks second. Meanwhile, his .983 OPS through Sunday would be his highest since 2022. It just shows that a healthy Trout can still be a major game-changer whenever he's on the field."

Of course, the key for Trout is staying on the field. If he can maintain this pace, improve his batting average, and avoid the injury bug, he'll have a legitimate shot at dethroning Judge—a fellow three-time MVP—and capturing his fourth career MVP award. For Angels fans and baseball purists alike, watching Trout return to form is one of the most exciting storylines of the 2026 season. It's a powerful reminder that when healthy, Mike Trout isn't just a great player; he's a game-changer who can single-handedly shift the balance of an entire league.