Angels relieved that home run derby will be Mike Trout-less

Angels Manager Mike Scioscia breathed a little sigh of relief Tuesday when Oakland slugger Yoenis Cespedes was selected as the final member of the American League home run derby team, which includes Baltimore’s Chris Davis, Detroit’s Prince Fielder and New York’s Robinson Cano.

That meant Angels outfielder Mike Trout would not be in next Monday’s event in New York’s Citi Field.

Scioscia is not a fan of the grueling home run derby, likening it to “being on a driving range and hitting 10 buckets of balls,” he said. “I haven’t seen somebody come away from that derby and be a better player for it.”

There was some speculation over the weekend that Trout, who was named to the All-Star team for the second straight year on Sunday, would be asked to participate in the home run derby. But that invitation never came, Trout said before Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs in Wrigley Field.

Trout did speak to Scioscia about the derby on Sunday, though, and the manager made it clear, in so many words, that he preferred Trout turn down any invitation.

“He said it would be my call, but he didn’t want me to do it because nothing good comes out of it,” Trout said. “Maybe it’s something I can do later down the road.”

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