Mike Trout Moving to Right Field | Will Position Change Affect Trout's Fantasy Outlook?

Making a position change in baseball doesn't always mean much from a fantasy perspective. Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout is switching positions, and I think it's noteworthy enough to discuss.

So, let's discuss what the position change might mean for Trout and his fantasy outlook, along with how it might affect the Angels.

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The Position Switch and its Impact

It's not a massive position change, but Trout is moving from center field to right field.

It's noteworthy not only because Trout is a big name, but because of how his career has transpired.

In his 14-year career, Trout has only played over 130 games seven times. He has topped 100 games just once since 2021, and is coming off a 29-game season in 2024.

Moving from center to right won't do much from a fantasy perspective, aside from making Trout eligible in right, instead of just center. He probably will play center and be the designated hitter enough to earn eligibility at both those spots as well.

I do think this could be big from a fantasy perspective in his durability.

Playing center field can be taxing on a player's body, and especially looking at Trout's career, I think moving to right is a great thing for him and his health. Honestly, I'm surprised Trout wasn't told to just DH (although I don't think he would have agreed to that).

If you are in a league that counts fielding numbers for fantasy, Trout's value might dip a bit, but being on the field more often is the goal in the switch, and if it works, fantasy owners should be thrilled.

Trout is still one of the better fantasy hitters in the game when he's healthy, but his draft stock and fantasy value overall are way down based on his games played the past several seasons.

Trout was one of the first few fantasy picks in several seasons during his career, but is currently going around pick 110. He's a risky pick because of his durability issues, and still could be a bust if he fails to stay on the field, but there's big draft steal potential, especially after learning he's moving to right field.

I'd expect Trout's ADP to rise in the next few days and weeks, and I'd be more interested in drafting him now than I was last week. If I picked him though, I'd have a backup plan or two in place in case he gets injured again.

Impact on Angels

According to FanGraphs, the most likely Angels' outfield configuration is Trout in right, Taylor Ward in left and Jo Adell now in center. All three should be regulars in the lineup when healthy.

Jorge Soler is the designated hitter, but could also play in right field to spell Trout here and there. Mickey Moniak is another outfielder who is projected to make the opening day roster.

This position change won't impact the fantasy outlooks for any of the Angels' outfielders, as the four starters are still the same. It might just mean position versatility for leagues that have left, center and right fielders.

Moniak is only likely going to be a fantasy asset if one of the team's top four guys goes down with a long-term injury. He could carve out a platoon role with Ward, or more likely Adell, if either of those two struggle and Moniak is hitting well at any point of the season.

Having Trout in the lineup makes the Angels' lineup more formidable. Ward, Luis Rengifo, Trout and Soler are a pretty solid 1-4 and could surprise people if they can all stay healthy.

Nolan Schanuel, Logan O'Hoppe, Yoan Moncada, Adell and Tim Anderson are the other projected starters right now, with J.D. Davis being in a platoon with Schanuel. Travis d'Arnaud, Kevin Newman and Moniak are the bench options at this point.

Zach Neto will replace Anderson when the former is healthy. Anthony Rendon is an option at third base if he's ever healthy.

Guys like Ward and Rengifo could be sneaky good fantasy options with Trout hitting behind them. Soler is a fantasy draft steal option if Trout can stay healthy ahead of him.

Schanuel is a decent deep-league fantasy option, even if he's only playing against righties. He could drive in a bunch of runs with Trout and Soler on base ahead of him.

O'Hoppe is one of my favorite sleeper catcher options this season, and even if he's in the bottom half of the order, he could drive in enough runs to be a daily starting option.

Getting Neto back will lengthen the Angels' lineup even more, and could make it a tough one for opposing pitchers to navigate through. Even if he misses time at the beginning of the regular season, Neto could end up being a top-10 fantasy shortstop.

Moncada, Adell, Anderson, Rendon and the backups are probably just deep-league options for the upcoming season. A couple could be worth streaming at times in standard leagues, but it seems unlikely they'd stick in standard leagues.

Final Thoughts

I think Trout moving from center to right field is a good thing for the Angels, and Trout himself. It should help him stick on the field more, and that makes Los Angeles a better team.

The Angels could be a sneaky good offense if Trout and the other regulars stay healthy. There should be at least a few usable fantasy assets in all fantasy leagues, and anyone in the lineup are at least depth options in deeper leagues.

I still don't see the Angels making a ton of noise in the AL West, but a fully healthy and top-form Trout could at least give the team a chance to make the postseason. 

A healthy Trout is also good for baseball, both in real life and fantasy.