Mike Trout, the Los Angeles Angels' wunderkind 21-year-old centerfielder, became the youngest player in American League history to hit for the cycle Tuesday. For Trout, notching the cycle could end up a mere footnote to his career, while it may be the most notable highlight for other ballplayers. ThePostGame compiled a list of MLB players under 23 to accomplish the feat, including Mel Ott, who did it as a 20-year-old.

MLB Players Under 23 To Hit For Cycle Slideshow

 

Mike Trout

May 21, 2013, age 21: With the Angels leading 11-0 in the eighth inning (a rarity in their disappointing start to the season), Trout needed only a home run to complete the cycle. He drove a 2-0 pitch near his ankles into the right-centerfield seats of Angel Stadium. Trout also became only the 17th player to hit for the cycle and record a stolen base in the same game, according to Baseball-Reference.com.

 

Carlos Gomez

May 7, 2008, age 22: Speedy centerfielder Gomez, currently enjoying a career year with the Milwaukee Brewers, hit for the cycle with the Minnesota Twins. He started out with a home run and didn't cool off from there.

 

Eric Chavez

June 21, 2000, age 22: Once a prospect regarded with Trout-like potential, Chavez showed why by hitting for the cycle in his second full season. Injuries ravaged most of Chavez's career, but he has experienced a revival this year with the Arizona Diamondbacks, hitting .337 through 34 games.

 

Alex Rodriguez

June 15, 1997, age 21: Back in the days when A-Rod was mostly beloved, he became the first ever Seattle Mariner to hit for the cycle. Even bigger things were ahead for Rodriguez, who has signed the two richest contracts in MLB history.

 

Cesar Cedeno

Aug. 2, 1972, age 21: Cedeno became the first player in Houston Astros franchise history to hit for the cycle and also the second when he did it again four years later. The 2013 Astros sure could use his bat.

 

Jim Fregosi

July 28, 1964, age 22: Like Cedeno, Fregosi had two cycles four years apart. Both came with the California Angels, for whom Fregosi starred in the 1960s. In 1971, the Angels traded a declining Fregosi to the New York Mets for a young pitcher named Nolan Ryan.

 

Gus Bell

June 4, 1951, age 22: An eventual four-time All-Star Bell (No. 3 in the photo) hit his cycle with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bell's son, Buddy, and grandsons, David and Mike, all played in the majors, and David hit for the cycle in 2004 with the Philadelphia Phillies.

 

Vic Wertz

Sept. 14, 1947, age 22: Wertz is best known as the player who hit the flyball that led to Willie Mays' legendary catch in the 1954 World Series. Before joining the Cleveland Indians, he hit for the cycle with the Detroit Tigers, also scoring five runs.

 

Joe DiMaggio

July 9, 1937, age 22: In a career that included a record 56-game hitting streak, three AL MVPs and a marriage to Marilyn Monroe, Joltin' Joe's two cycles were relatively minor accomplishments. The second came in 1948.

 

Arky Vaughan

June 24, 1933, age 21: A nine-time All-Star at shortstop and third base, Vaughan drove in five runs in his cycle performance with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

 

Joe Cronin

Sept. 2, 1929, age 22: The Hall of Fame shortstop would become remembered for his days with the Boston Red Sox, but he hit for his first cycle with the Washington Senators. Cronin notched the cycle again with Boston in 1940.

 

Mel Ott

May 16, 1929, age 20: Ott remains the youngest player ever to hit for the cycle, with Trout coming in second. Yet Ott was already an experienced major leaguer, having debuted with the New York Giants at age 17. The Hall of Fame outfielder hit 511 home-runs, had 1,860 RBIs and posted a .414 on-base percentage in 22 seasons with the Giants.

 

Mike Tiernan

Aug. 25, 1888, age 21: "Silent Mike" was another two-time cycler. Both came with the New York Giants and were two years apart.

previous next

Note: Cliff Heathcote of the St. Louis Cardinals hit for the cycle at age 20 in 1918, and Fred Carroll of the Pittsburgh Alleghenys achieved the cycle at age 22 in 1887. Photos were not available.