PCL1 Salt Lake Bees

Angels announce minor league awards

Published on September 27, 2004 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Salt Lake Bees News Release


ANAHEIM, CA –The Angels Friday announced their minor league organizational awards for the 2004 season, naming third baseman 3B Dallas McPherson as Player of the Year, right-handed pitcher Steven Shell as Pitcher of the Year, and first baseman Casey Kotchman as Defensive Player of the Year. This announcement was made by Angels' Director of Player Development Tony Reagins.

McPherson, 24, split the 2004 season between double-A Arkansas and triple-A Salt Lake and, overall, batted .317 (165/521) with 107 runs scored, 36 doubles, 14 triples, 40 home runs and 126 RBI. He was named the 2004 Minor League Player of the Year by The Sporting News. Among all minor leaguers, he led in total bases (349) and slugging percentage (.670), ranked second in home runs and extra-base hits (90), third in RBI and triples, and eighth in runs scored.

In 68 double-A games, McPherson hit .321 (84/262) with 53 runs scored, 17 doubles, six triples, 20 home runs and 69 RBI. He was named as the Topps Texas League Player of the Month for both May and June and selected to the Texas League Post-Season All-Star team. McPherson was promoted, June 21, to Salt Lake, where he batted .313 (81/259) with 54 runs scored, 19 doubles, eight triples, 20 home runs and 57 RBI in 67 games. He was selected to participate in the 2004 Major League Futures Game in Houston, TX, during the All-Star Break. A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, the 6-4, 230-pound McPherson was selected by the Angels in the second round of the 2001 free agent draft.

Shell, 21, posted a 12-7 record with a 3.59 ERA (66 ER - 165.1 IP) and two complete games (one shutout) in 28 starts for the single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in 2004. The 6-5, 200-pound righthander, who allowed 151 hits and 40 walks, led the California League and finished fourth in the nation among all minor leaguers with 190 strikeouts. Shell, who also finished fourth in the league in ERA and innings pitched, was selected to the California League's Post-Season All-Star Team. A native of El Reno, OK, he was selected by the Angels in the third round of the 2001 free agent draft.

Kotchman, 21, began the 2004 season at double-A Arkansas, where he batted .368 (42/114) with 19 runs scored, 11 doubles, three home runs and 18 RBI in 28 games. He had his contract selected by the Angels, May 9, and made his major league debut that same day. Kotchman began his major league career with a streak of 48 straight plate appearances without a strikeout (longest in career-opening streak in club history). He was then optioned to triple-A Salt Lake, June 12, where he hit .372 (74/199) with 32 runs scored, 22 doubles, five home runs, and 38 RBI in 49 games before being recalled to the Angels, Sept. 1. Overall, in two stints with the Angels, Kotchman is batting .216 (24/111) with six doubles and 15 RBI in 35 games.

The 6-0, 180-pound Kotchman committed just three errors 77 minor league games. A native of Seminole, FL, he was selected by the Angels in the first round (13th pick) of the 2001 free agent draft. His father, Tom, is a longtime Angels' scout and minor league manager, who led the rookie-level Provo Angels to the 2004 Pioneer League title.

For more information, check out www.angelsbaseball.com or www.stingersbaseball.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from September 27, 2004


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