Los Angeles Angels: Mark Trumbo Fitting in Nicely for First Place Angels

There are some people in life who believe that no matter how grim the situation is, everything happens for a reason.

Last May, Los Angeles Angels first baseman Kendry Morales hit a walk-off grand slam at home in the bottom of the 10th inning against the visiting Seattle Mariners. Making his way to home plate to be greeted by his teammates, Morales jumped feet first, landing dead center on home plate.

Morales slipped and ended up with a fracture in his left leg, all but ending his 2010 season.

In September, Mark Trumbo, an 18th-round selection by the Angels in the 2004 draft got the call he waited almost six years for: Trumbo was going to the show.

In eight games, Trumbo had just a single hit in 15 at-bats while driving in two runs. With Morales expected to be available by the early part of the 2011 season, Trumbo's stay was seen more as a temporary than permanent status.

In late March, foot soreness slowed the rehab progress for Morales and since then, his status has been switched to "out indefinitely."

Trumbo, who lead the Pacific Coast League in home runs in 2010 with 36, runs with 103, and second in RBI with 122, has given the Angels every reason to consider the 25-year-old to be the future long term starter at first base.

After a five game hit-less streak and an 0-for-20 slump that saw his batting average drop from .286 down to .225, Trumbo has hit safely in four consecutive games, smacking three long-balls and driving in eight runs, including four in an 8-5 win over Tampa Bay on April 29.

It marked the second time on the year that Trumbo drove in at least four runs in a game.

Through 27 games played, Trumo leads the team in RBI (17) and is tied for first in home runs (six) with Howie Kendrick.

Trumbo also leads all rookies in home runs and is second in RBI and batting average.

With the status of Morales uncertain, the first place Los Angeles Angels might have found the perfect replacement, or perhaps their future at first base.