Trumbo Ready to Prove He's an All-Star

With the promotion of reliever Rich Thompson to Anaheim, Bees first baseman Mark Trumbo will be the lone Salt Lake player representing the club at this year's Triple-A All-Star game in Allentown, Pa. The starting first baseman on the Pacific Coast League roster will be making his third All-Star game appearance in the minors, having previously been selected as a Texas League All-Star in 2009 and a California League second-half All-Star in 2008.

"I'm very excited and there are a lot of good guys, a lot of first basemen especially in this league," said Trumbo. "It's a real honor to be among them, and to be named a starter is even better."

Trumbo's first-half statistics certainly merit the selection. The Anaheim, Calif. native currently leads the PCL in RBI with 69 and is third in home runs with 20.

Historically, first half numbers like this have not been typical for Trumbo, who is know for performing better in the second half of the season when the weather warms. Trumbo attributes the change to "maturity," saying he is not putting added pressure on himself this time around and not trying to do too much too soon.

But being named an All-Star is just one of Trumbo's goals this year.

"Heading into a season I try and come up with a couple goals every year that are fairly realistic," said the 6-4, 220 lb. slugger. "This year, making the All-Star team was one of them so I'm very happy that I was able to accomplish it. I've got a couple more that I'm trying to accomplish for the rest of the season so we'll see what happens."

And what are those goals? Besides building on what he's already done in 2010 and continuing to drive-in runs, Trumbo and his teammates are eyeing a PCL championship.

"Overall I'd like to see our team right there in the end and at least make the playoffs," said the All-Star. "We've got a good group and I don't see any reason why we can't be a serious contender."

With the pieces the Angels have assembled in Salt Lake, a championship is certainly not out of the question. Center fielder Peter Bourjos is on a torrid stretch over his last 10 games going 19-for-42 with 15 runs, four triples and five stolen bases. Plus, with the recent additions of infielders Luis Figueroa and Drew Meyer and pitchers Daniel Cabrera, Eric Junge and Trevor Bell, the team is poised to make a second half run at the PCL Northern Division Title and head right on into the playoffs.