With end of Trout era in center field, Angels put new plan in place

TEMPE, Ariz. -- With Mike Trout moving over from center field to become the club¡¯s primary right fielder, the Angels have to come up with a plan on who will play center this season.

Jo Adell and Mickey Moniak figure to get the most time there, with Taylor Ward serving as the club¡¯s regular left fielder and Jorge Soler seeing occasional time in the corner outfield spots. Luis Rengifo and Tim Anderson will also get reps in center this spring to increase their versatility, and there could be days that Ward or Trout play there.

Manager Ron Washington said it¡¯s too early to know who will get the most action in center but said Adell and Moniak are likely to split time at the position. They¡¯ll start based on matchups, as it won¡¯t be a strict platoon.

¡°I think we'll just see,¡± Washington said. ¡°We know both of them can play it. And we're going to really get a good look at Adell down here this spring, where he gets more reps out there. We know Moniak can play it, so we'll just keep going in Spring Training and see where it shakes out.¡±

It¡¯s more of a position change for Adell than Moniak, who has more experience at the position. Adell made huge strides defensively last year, finishing as a finalist for the Gold Glove Award in right, but he said he¡¯s on board with the change.

¡°We¡¯re trying our best to make sure that [Trout's] able to be on the field and we'll do whatever we need to do to make sure it happens,¡± Adell said. ¡°It¡¯s not the first time that I switched positions, so I'm up for the challenge and ready to go. Center field, growing up that was the position that I played, even through the Draft. And so I¡¯m kind of excited to get back and do what I can do.¡±

Adell added that he believes the improvements he made in right can translate to center. He¡¯s worked hard with coaches Bo Porter and Eric Davis Sr. on his defense and believes they¡¯ll help him with the transition this spring.

¡°I think once I became a little bit more aggressive out on balls over my head, and really was able to get to the track a little easier, that really helped my defense overall,¡± Adell said. ¡°And that¡¯s a big thing in center, is being able to get back and cover ground, and so that's what we've worked on.¡±

Moniak said it¡¯s been tough seeing Trout deal with injuries in recent seasons, but he is hopeful that this will help keep him on the field. Moniak came up as a natural center fielder and played 101 games there last year, so he thinks it¡¯s not much of an adjustment.

¡°I came in ready to play all three,¡± Moniak said. ¡°So wherever Wash puts me. Ever since I was in low-A with the Phillies, they kind of wanted me to make sure I was comfortable at all three and that¡¯s kind of what I've done my whole career.¡±

Moniak said the biggest difference is that in center you¡¯re straight on with the plate and the ball carries more predictably, while in the corners the ball often slices away and you have to deal with foul territory.

¡°You're running a little bit more in center field,¡± Moniak said. ¡°You got to cover a little bit more ground. But playing the corners have their own challenges. There¡¯s different angles and when you¡¯re in right field, the ball is always going away from you. But I think moving to right, it just limits the amount of ground [Trout] has to cover.¡±

Washington said the biggest key for Adell and Moniak is communicating with Trout as he learns his new position.

¡°The only thing that I think that we're concerned about, and we got with everyone, is the communication,¡± Washington said. ¡°We don't need nobody running into Mike Trout.¡±

Ward was more sentimental, saying he¡¯ll miss seeing Trout in center, the position where he established himself as a three-time AL MVP and 11-time All-Star.

¡°For me, I'm kind of sad about it,¡± Ward said. ¡°I like seeing him there is what I'm trying to say. But at the end of the day, it's what's gonna be best for our team, right? So I think that's just the biggest thing. But I'm gonna miss him in center and playing next to him. It's just the end of an era for him out there in center.¡±