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2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories DUII driver loses license for life after offering bribe Mentally ill man dies in volley of gunfire with Medford police Seven officers involved in Medford police shooting; police release name of victim VIDEO: Shots fired in west Medford standoff with police 10 things to know for Tuesday Crime, Courts and Emergency Services DUII driver loses license for life after offering bribe Mentally ill man dies in volley of gunfire with Medford police VIDEO: Shots fired in west Medford standoff with police Emergency Services, March 17 One-time 'person of interest' in Grubbs case sentenced on bank robberies Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Education Southern Oregon University's building boom adds up to $130 million South Medford, Ashland, St. Mary's students building video game Ashland High principal receives national award Work your body to save your braaaaains St. Mary's School buys campus from parish for $6.5 million Environment Herptilian haven Proposed new rules for Oregon critter catchers would require the killing of nuisance animals Jacksonville requests extension on reservoir dam-notching permit Blooms coming too early for Rogue Valley's bees Low snow closes Mt. Ashland bunny hill chairlift State News House OKs bill banning gay conversion therapy Oso, Wash., to remember deadly mudslide HIllsboro jail worker sentenced to four years for inmate liaisons Portland man sentenced to 6 months for aiming lasers at planes Oregon is first state to adopt automatic voter registration Nation - World Obituaries Geneva Rosel Canty Shiela R. Ettlich Karen June Shaw Keo Jean Sedenius Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society Sports Latest Stories Crater falls short in softball season opener Wade leads Heat win over Cavs OSU to serve as NCAA tourney host Blazers' rally falls short RESULTS / STANDINGS Varsity 541 College Sports OSU to serve as NCAA tourney host Familiar tourney foes in line for Ducks LIVE blog of the NCAA Tournament selection show Tourney filled with great story lines Cowboy Up Pro Sports Wade leads Heat win over Cavs Blazers' rally falls short Spartans’ season comes to end Aldridge scores 24 points, Blazers beat Raptors Spieth proves clutch at Valspar Community Sports Business Latest Stories Test Drive: 2015 Subaru Outback Limited Silvio Calabi: 2015 Cherokee is a modern Jeep Oregon winemaking emerges as mighty agricultural force Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Blog: Are You Superstitious? Real Estate News East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Landgren cartoon: Sunshine Week Michael Gerson: Tom Cotton letter to Iran: The roughest of drafts Letters to the Editor, March 17 Granlund cartoon: March madness and other madness Letters to the Editor, March 16 Editorials Our View: Keeping the light trained on government Other Views: State must rein in medical marijuana Our View: Daylight saving bill another waste of time Our View: Medford native Dave Frohnmayer leaves legacy of distinguished service Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 17 Letters to the Editor, March 16 Letters to the Editor, March 15 Letters to the Editor, March 14 Letters to the Editor, March 13 Columns Michael Gerson: Tom Cotton letter to Iran: The roughest of drafts Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Charles Krauthammer: Early Onset Clinton Fatigue George Will: The prescience of Daniel Patrick Moynihan Dana Milbank: Jason Rezaian's detention a tragedy for Iran Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Guest Opinion: Return to clearcutting is wrong approach for counties Guest Opinion: Plan a Hawthorne playground for all children Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Lifestyle Latest stories Blog: The prodigal Watterson Pam Stone: No binge benefits from ‘healthy’ snacks Garden Cameos: Now is the perfect time to spot wildflowers Paul Rogers: It’s time to assess the damage to yards Season Stepp: Tips to spice up your tacos Food Season Stepp: Tips to spice up your tacos Food for Thought: Where to splurge and save at the grocery store Prudence Hilburn: Loaded potatoes, Buffalo chicken call for Candied Bacon Bites for dessert Community blog: Top toast with smashing beet, cheese spread Gail Ciampa: Colcannon Soup with Parsley Pesto is a vegetarian alternative for St. Patrick’s Day Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Now is the perfect time to spot wildflowers Paul Rogers: It’s time to assess the damage to yards Home Help: This top garage trend keeps gaining momentum The delightful work of flowers Using universal design Health Community blog: Denial is Not a River in Egypt Health Watch: Living smart to protect your heart Community blog: Can Twentysomething Depression Be�Healed? Dr. Murray Feingold: What’s your excuse for being late? Community blog: The Future is Now Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville City-rock band Shotgun Wedding performs at the Craterian Theater in Medford Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder John McEuen performs at the Unitarian Fellowship in Ashland Theater Review: Thanks for the Memories pulls off challenging 'Anastasia' Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight Music Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville Rogue Valley Chorale presents 'A Festival of Choirs' at the Craterian Theatre SOU's Chamber and Concert choirs present 'Songs of Passion' City-rock band Shotgun Wedding performs at the Craterian Theater in Medford Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Dining Restaurant Inspections Agave offers gourmet tacos, tamales, ensaladas and more Serra storms Seattle Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW DUII driver loses license for life after offering bribe ... Mentally ill man dies in volley of gunfire with Medford police ... Seven officers involved in Medford police shooting; police release name of victim ... DUII driver loses license for life after offering bribe ... Mentally ill man dies in volley of gunfire with Medford police ... Seven officers involved in Medford police shooting; police release name of victim ... Fantasy Sports: Mike Trout clear star of young outfield crop Comment By Josh Bousquet The Worcester Telegram & Gazette MailTribune.com By Josh Bousquet The Worcester Telegram & Gazette Posted Mar. 16, 2015 at 9:29 AM By Josh Bousquet The Worcester Telegram & Gazette Posted Mar. 16, 2015 at 9:29 AM » Social News Mike Trout is only 23 years old. Yep, that’s it. I’m starting the column with a simple fact because my brain doesn’t know what to do with it. I mean, I am not even sure if we know what type of player Trout is yet — other than really, really good. In his 2012 rookie season, Trout batted .326 with 30 homers, 83 RBIs, 129 runs and 49 steals, putting up numbers that instantly put him into top-player-in-the game discussions. In 2013, he dipped a little bit, but a line of .323-27-97-109-33 isn’t going to take you out of that elite discussion. In 2014, his steals dropped off to only 16 (for he just didn’t attempt as many, he was only caught twice), and his average dipped to .287. He broke new ground with power numbers, though, swatting 36 homers, driving in 111 runs, scoring 115 of his own and won the American League MVP. If you can see a fall-off in some spots and still win an MVP award, that is a pretty good indication that a player is pretty good. And he is still only 23 years old. To find that type of all-around fantasy greatness is not rare in an outfielder; this is a position from which owners know they need to get a large dose of everything. Trout, however, is at the vanguard of a large number of young players who could provide an historic amount of offense from the position. Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton is only 25 years old and was probably on his way to the National League MVP until getting hit by a pitch in the face last September. He still finished at .288-37-105-89-13, which still sounds like it could have earned top-player honors. He may be battling for MVP honors for years with the Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig, who is only 24. They may need to wait a couple of years for the Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen to drop off, though, for he is still only 28 and already has an MVP on his résumé. But by then, they will have to deal with the Nationals’ Bryce Harper, still only 22, who reported to camp in better shape than he has in the past. Damn lazy teenagers. Arriving in the majors with less hullabaloo was the Rockies’ 25-year-old Corey Dickerson, who went .312-24-76-74-8 in only 436 at-bats last season. You can also look at the Cubs’ Jorge Soler, a 22-year-old who left the minor leagues after three seasons with a cumulative .934 OPS. Over on the American League side, the Indians’ Michael Brantley put up career numbers across the board with his .327-20-97-94-23 2014 season, and since he’s only 27, those numbers could prove more than an aberration. Then there is 25-year-old George Springer of the Astros, who only had 295 at-bats last season but was still able to turn them into 20 homers and 51 RBIs. And a question that is bound to be often spouted in these parts this season — just how good is Mookie Betts? It can’t be only youth that gives a player upside, though, so I will also offer a drug-addled piece of advice (no, not Josh Hamilton, whom we just wish well). Melky Cabrera, who had never stood out as a top player, started to get extra attention while batting .346 in 2012 with the Giants. That bit of notice turned into notoriety when that season was cut short by PED suspension, and his name later got involved with the Biogenesis scandal. Then he quietly put up a .301-16-73-81-6 season last year. It was the third time in four years that he had batted over .300. He is not an elite player, but he is probably better than you think. Another entry in the surprisingly good file is the Pirates’ Starling Marte. McCutchen rightfully gathers much of the attention in the Pittsburgh outfield, which means for two seasons as a starter Marte has averaged a .286 BA and 35 steals with minimal fanfare. Another benefit to the depth of the outfield position is being able to help yourself in weak rotisserie categories. You may not get help in all five stats from the Reds’ Billy Hamilton, but his 56 steals last year certainly helped owners rack up some points there. The Mariners’ Nelson Cruz, on the other hand, may never get you double-digit steals, but he did put 40 balls over the fence last year, driving in 108 runs along the way. Also don’t be afraid of a truly broken player, for they heal. Sure, the Giants’ Hunter Pence may currently have some issues swinging a bat since he has a broken forearm, but the team expects him back around May 1. If you have already lost your league in the first month so that the jolt of his return doesn’t help, then you don’t deserve to be playing. Unless, of course, you’re only 23, and we don’t even really know what type of player you will yet become. Josh Bousquet writes for The Worcester (Mass.) Telegram & Gazette. Contact Josh Bousquet at [email protected]. By Josh Bousquet The Worcester Telegram & Gazette MailTribune.com By Josh Bousquet The Worcester Telegram & Gazette Posted Mar. 16, 2015 at 9:29 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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