Mike Trout's incredible start elevates him into the class of MLB's all-time elites

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Former Angels scouting director Eddie Bane cringed after soliciting help from one of his evaluators in 2009.

"Around the time of the draft, I asked our scouts to give some comps on the guys we drafted," recalled Bane, whose team made New Jersey high school outfielder Mike Trout the 25th pick of the draft that year. "Our local scout (Greg Morhardt) who recommended Trout said Mickey Mantle."

Bane responded in disbelief.

"I said, 'We're not doing that. We're not putting pressure on the kid,' " he said. "(But) he was right."

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