Angels Call Up Mike Trout, Bobby Abreu Released

After a 6-14 start in their first 20 Games, the Angels did not wait for a whole month to pass before calling up top outfield prospect Mike Trout from the minor leagues. He will be in the starting lineup on Saturday in Cleveland.

Here is my video analysis of the situation the Angels faced after blowing Friday Night's game, commentary on the Jordan Walden and my "Breaking News" response to the promotion of Trout:

Trout was batting .403 for the Salt Lake Bees in 77 ABs, With 11 BB, one HR, 16 Stolen Bases and 5 triples. Trout is 20 and will be of legal drinking age on August 7. The Angels will be in Oakland that night. Will you be in the team's hotel bar that night to by Mike his first legal sip, postgame?

Reports on the internet have quoted Mike Scioscia as saying Trout will play for the Angels every day. Ya think? This leaves Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells, Peter Bourjos and Mark Trumbo jockeying for two outfield spots. Oh, boo-hoo. On a day where the Angels announced that Jordan Walden was going to be demoted from the closer's role in favor of the veteran Scott Downs, the news may have shocked everyone but those paying attention to the Angels AAA team's lineup Friday night, which was absent Mike Trout.

To make room for Trout, they released veteran outfielder Bobby Abreu after numerous failed attempts to trade him. The Angels will eat 140 games worth of Abreu's $9 million 2012 salary assuming the former All Star does not catch on with another team. With his desire to stick around and hit some milestones, Abreu could hold out for a two-year offer from a club which might elevate the amount of money a new club pays him, benefiting the Angels pocketbook.

In 1,946 Plate Appearances as an Angel, Bobby put up some great numbers. His .364 on base percentage ranks 8th in franchise history for a player with more than 1,500 Plate Appearances as an Angel. He is 20th all time as an Angel with 261 walks. Jim Edmonds had 1,000 more plate appearances as an Angel than Bobbby and only managed 13 more walks. His 41 doubles in 2010 were the 9th best single season mark for two-baggers ever by an Angel and he is one of only 30 Angels to hit over 100 doubles. His 75%+ stolen base percentage ranks 5th all time in club history. So thanks, Bobby.

And now welcome Mike Trout, one would assume for good.

Mark it on your calendars. It was Frank158369 with a fanshot here breaking the news of Mike "Paywall" DiGiovanna's tweet of the news.