Two Angels Prospects Make Olympic Team

The roster for the 2008 USA Olympic Baseball team was announced today, and included on it were two prospects from the Los Angeles Angels: infielder Matt Brown and pitcher Kevin Jepsen. Both players currently play for the Angels’ AAA-affiliate Salt Lake Bees.

“Having Matt and Kevin play in the Olympic Games solidifies the Bees position as one of the top teams in the Pacific Coast League,” said Randy Rigby, President and CEO of the Salt Lake Bees.  “We are honored to have [Brown and Jepsen] selected to the team and look forward to supporting them one hundred percent in their quest for a gold medal [in the Beijing Olympics].”

Brown is having a great year for the Bees. He is currently hitting .326/.376/.605 with 20 home runs and 62 RBIs in 83 games. Brown also spent some time with the Angels this year while thrid baseman Chone Figgins was on the disabled list.

Jepsen was recently promoted to Salt Lake from the AA-affiliate Arkansas Travelers. In 10 games this year with the Bees, Kevin is 0-2 with a 2.76 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP in 16.1 innings.While he was with the Travelers, Jepsen went 2-1 with a 1.42 ERAand earned 11 saves in 25 games.

Marc Amicone, the Bees general manger, said, “Having two of our players selected to the U.S. Olympic Team is a testament to the Angels’ commitment to their farm teams… the Angels invest in their farm system and it shows.”

Brown and Jepsen will join a solid USA team, fronted by Matt LaPorta and Stephen Strasburg, as they compete for a gold medal in the Olypmic Games on August 8th.