Forget the bevy of relievers, mediocre starting pitchers and middle infielders that will be swapped by the end of July. We’re only 9 days into a month often consumed by the trade deadline, and the best mid-season acquisition has already been made, I can guarantee you. The Angels’ decision to call up outfield prospect Mike Trout should solidify any center field questions in Anaheim following the injuries to Peter Bourjos and give a much-needed shot in the arm to one of baseball’s least productive offenses.

Well, who is Mike Trout?
The 25th overall pick out of high school in 2009, Trout immediately burst onto the scene with the Angels’ organization. In his first season of professional baseball, he hit .352 at age 17. The next season, Trout batted .341. By the start of 2011, he sat atop many lists of the best prospects in the game; even ahead of Bryce Harper.

Why is he so highly touted?
Mike Trout is insanely fast. Consider: Ichiro, at 5 feet 11 inches and 170 pounds, runs from the batter’s box to first base in roughly 3.85 seconds. Trout has been timed as fast as 3.75 seconds,[1] and he is 6 feet 2 inches and 220 pounds.

The New Jersey native also has a very developed approach at the plate. His swing is very simple. Trout takes the shortest path to the baseball. He understands the strike zone well and has a career .338 batting average in the minor leagues.

The only caveat? Trout doesn’t have a ton of power. He needs to develop 25-30 HR power to be an elite offensive player. Luckily, Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays has a very similar frame to Trout, so I’d expect power to be on the way for the 19 year old center fielder.

Is he ready?
This spring, GM Tony Reagins said Trout’s first big league action would likely come in 2012. While there is the possibility that Reagins thought his star prospect would not be ready this soon, I think the Angels’ initial plan was designed to delay Trout’s eligibility for arbitration. So yes, I do think Trout is ready for the Big Leagues.

What can be expected?
Most likely, Trout’s greatest impact will be felt on the base paths. He stole 28 bases in just 75 games in 2011 and should bolster an already speedy Angels team. Offensively, I do not expect much from Trout immediately. He is only 19, and the learning curve from Double-AA to the Big Leagues is very steep.

Defensively, Trout is a slight downgrade from Peter Bourjos, who has played Gold Glove-caliber defensive for the Angels in 2011. Nonetheless, Trout is very solid in center field.

How long will Trout be in the Big Leagues?
His stay depends on production alone. If Trout continues the form he’s showed in Double-AA Arkansas, then I’d say he should be with the Angels for the remainder of the year.

My best guess is that because the Angels didn’t delay his eligibility for arbitration, Tony Reagins has no incentive to send Trout back to the Minor Leagues. Therefore, even if he struggles a bit, the Angels will probably be very patient. Anaheim wants to use the remainder of this season to prepare Trout to become a starting outfielder in 2012.

[1] Courtesy of ESPN