Orange County Register

The Angels purchased the contracts of 1B Mark Trumbo and pitcher Anthony Ortega, protecting both players from the Rule 5 draft in December.

Ortega is a low-strikeout pitcher who has handled a fairly quick rise through the Angels system since 2006, covering five levels in three years. In six starts after being promoted to triple A this year, he had a 2.52 ERA and walked just six in 39 innings. His walk rate has improved with each step up through the organization since Rancho Cucamonga.

Trumbo (Villa Park High) is a giant of a first baseman who has been a bit disappointing since the Angels paid him $1.4 million to skip USC. His power is obvious — 26 home runs, and 56 extra base hits in just 400 at bats in hitter-friendly Rancho Cucamonga. But a .316 OBP in the minors shows he has a lot of work to do. 2008 was a step forward for him, and his power makes him promising, but he hasn’t proven anything yet. He should be in double A this season.

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