First-base prospect Mark Trumbo to get time in outfield, not third base

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First-base prospect Mark Trumbo was drafted out of Villa Park High School as a third baseman in 2004, but the Angels have no intention of moving the 6-foot-4, 220-pound slugger across the infield this spring.

Trumbo, who hit .303 with 36 home runs and 122 runs batted in for triple-A Salt Lake last season, will play first base, where he will be an option for the Angels if Kendry Morales doesn’t return in time from a broken leg, and some outfield, a position the Angels think he has the skill set to play.

Many fans thought the Angels should have tried Trumbo at third last season, when, because of Brandon Wood’s struggles and Maicer Izturis’ injuries, the Angels got virtually no production. But Trumbo only played third base for a few weeks in his first professional season at Orem, Utah, in 2005, before the Angels moved him to first.

‘I was OK at third, but I’m sure they thought I was better suited to be across the diamond,’ Trumbo said. ‘I was good at balls hit right at me, but range was an issue. It would take a lot of work to become adequate at third base right now.’

Manager Mike Scioscia said the Angels have discussed moving Trumbo back to third, ‘but right now, we feel it’s important he concentrate on first base,’ Scioscia said. ‘He’s still a work in progress at first. He’s made a lot of strides. His tool set lends itself well to the outfield if we need it, but third base is a distant option at this point.’

-- Mike DiGiovanna in Tempe, Ariz.