Orange County Register

Matthew Brown

Reggie Smith, the batting coach for Team USA, thinks Angel minor leaguer Matt Brown is ready for the big leagues.

Brown, 26, spent the 2008 season at Triple-A Salt Lake, dividing his time between first and third base, where he batted 326 with 21 home runs and 67 RBI before joining Team USA, which won the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympicsl.

Smith, who played in the Major Leagues in the 1960s and ’70s, said Brown has a shot at making the 25-player spring training roster:

“Matt’s got what you’re looking for in a big league player. He cares. He’s definitely got that fire, that passion for the game you want to see. He knows he has to get after it, and he does. Another thing I like is that he’s open-minded enough to take instruction. He’ll ask questions — `What do you see? How should I approach this situation?’ Off the field, he’s quiet and relaxed, but on the field, he’s serious about taking care of business.”

Homegrown power - not some overpriced free agent? Let’s hope Matt keeps up the good work…

Read the mlb.com story on Brown here.

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