Does Mike Trout Have Room to Improve? [PODCAST]

There's no question that Millville native Mike Trout is one of Major League Baseball's best players.

But at the age of 21, with a Silver Slugger Award, All-Star Game appearance and American League Rookie of the Year honors already in tow, is it possible for the young phenom to get even better?

Former L.A. Angels great Tim Salmon joined the South Jersey Sports Report to tackle that question, although he chose his words wisely: “I don’t want to get struck by lightning criticizing Zeus here”. He also explains what hitting for the cycle this week adds to Trout's growing legacy, how he's handling all the attention and accolades in Southern California, and why the Angels know they've found their next franchise player, less than two years after his Major League debut.

A baseball team that's making some noise locally is looking to slay a few more giants this postseason. After knocking off second-seeded Vineland in the first round, the Atlantic City Vikings have now earned playoff wins in back-to-back seasons (this after going winless in the postseason from 1996 to 2011). Head coach Brent Bean reveals what his team's mindset is going into each game, and why their recent success could stem from a new attitude in the locker room.

The Courier Post's Kevin Minnick also talks high school baseball, including how some unpleasant weather pushed even more playoff games back into the holiday weekend. We asked him about the potential for each of the playoff teams still alive in South Jersey, and why a "pink day" for one local team was instrumental in bringing a community together.

The high school lacrosse playoffs are also heating up in South Jersey. Although both of their teams have been eliminated form the postseason, two first-year coaches are hoping to build on their success into next season. Oakcrest's Brett Hoffecker and Ocean City's Alyssa-Rae Preis joined the South Jersey Sports Report; find out how Hoffecker plans to keep his team together in the offseason, and how Preis plans on filling the gap left behind by a graduating player with 319 career goals.

And while he may be one of highest-rated football recruits in the country, he's also doing big things on the basketball and volleyball courts as well. Southern Regional's Mike Gesicki currently has scholarship offers from major football programs like Wisconsin, Rutgers, Penn State, Miami and Boston College. We asked the 6'6" junior what will go into his ultimate college decision, and how some "unfinished business" in his senior campaign may allow him to keep to options open.

Listen to this week's show:

Brett Hoffecker, Oakcrest Falcons head lacrosse coach

Kevin Minnick, Courier Post sports writer

Alyssa-Rae Preis, Ocean City Red Raiders head girls lacrosse coach

Brent Bean, Atlantic City Vikings head baseball coach

Tim Salmon, Former L.A. Angels great & Fox Sports West broadcaster

Mike Gesicki, Southern Regional three-sport athlete

We’d also like to congratulate the South Jersey Athlete of the Week:

Matt DiCerbo

Baseball, Atlantic City

He clobbered a game-changing home run to help pave the way toward a stunning Vikings playoff victory. DiCerbo drilled a three-run shot over the right-field fence in the third inning of 15th-seeded Atlantic City’s 5-3 win over No. 2 Vineland in South Jersey Group IV action.

It’s all right here, on The South Jersey Sports Report. Listen every Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on 97.3 ESPN-FM or 973espn.com, and now catch the expanded edition every Thursday night from 6-7 p.m.

Follow Tyler Donohue on Twitter @TDsTake