Jered Weaver is going to wear No. 27 with the Padres because he wants to hit like Mike Trout

Jered Weaver racked up 150 victories and three top-five Cy Young Award finishes with the Angels, but he collected only four singles, with the last coming back in 2012. Not too surprising considering that he's, you know, a pitcher in the American League. But when it came time to pick out his number after signing with the Padres, Weaver knew the best person to emulate: Mike Trout and his No. 27.
Players choosing the number of a player they grew up idolizing isn't very strange. Choosing the number of your ex-teammate that is nine years younger? That's a little different. 
"I figured I've got to hit [with the Padres]," the hurler told MLB.com's AJ Cassavell. "I went Mike Trout on them, so maybe that'll help with my hitting. The numbers were slim pickings. I texted Trout and asked him if it was OK. He said he couldn't wait to see 27 on my back."
While Weaver did put together an epic two-game hitting streak in 2010, if the right-hander comes out of Spring Training showing off power, speed and a patient batting eye, I think we'll know: It's not the player that has won two MVP awards and finished second three other times -- it's the number. 

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