Anderson Waits for All-Star Vote

The Angels have long contended that the “underrated” tag so commonly applied to Garret Anderson by fans and analysts is not used among his peers. That theory will be tested next week, when players receive their All-Star ballots.

Fan balloting determines the All-Star game starters, and Anderson ranks sixth among outfielders. This year, voting among players, coaches and managers -- not weighted, so the players’ voice will speak loudest -- will determine an additional nine position players on the American League roster.

Anderson is batting .318 and ranks first among AL outfielders in runs batted in, second in slugging percentage and third in home runs.

“If you just had pitchers vote, he’d make it for sure,” Angel pitcher Jarrod Washburn said. “I think, among the fraternity of players, he’s very well respected. I’m pretty sure he’ll be voted in. He’s one of the best players in the game.”

Said Anderson: “You don’t make the team solely due to your numbers. That’s been proven year in and year out. To me, it’s not a stressful thing. A lot of guys are going to be deserving, but whether you get to go is another story.”

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Rookie Francisco Rodriguez, who lost his setup role to Brendan Donnelly last month, appears back on track. Rodriguez entered play Monday having reduced his earned-run average from 5.48 to 3.90 by pitching 9 1/3 scoreless innings, giving up one hit and striking out eight.

On Monday, he gave up a two-run homer to Mike Cameron. After the game, he sat alone in front of his locker, then kicked against it and overturned a nearby laundry container.

“He’s frustrated,” pitching coach Bud Black said, “but he’s been throwing the ball well. It just didn’t happen for him tonight.”

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Class-A Rancho Cucamonga first baseman Casey Kotchman again is on the disabled list because of a strained hamstring, and Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman said doctors are unsure whether he aggravated the original injury or suffered a new one. Kotchman, the Angels’ top prospect, has been on the disabled list four times since signing for a $2.075-million bonus in 2001.

Although the Angels have not stamped Kotchman as injury-prone, he has 425 at-bats in three pro seasons. Catcher Jeff Mathis, another top prospect drafted in 2001, has 839.

“If you’re missing playing time, you’re missing development time,” Stoneman said. “When he signed out of high school, he was very advanced. Ultimately, how far does it set him back? I don’t know.”