Salt Lake Bees: 2 Bees are headed to Beijing

USA Baseball announced Wednesday that Salt Lake Bees infielder Matt Brown and right-handed pitcher Kevin Jepsen have been named to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team roster that will compete in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

"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 Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment and the Salt Lake Bees.

"We are honored to have them selected to the team and look forward to supporting them 100 percent in their quest for a gold medal."

Brown, in his eighth pro season in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim system, played in the Pacific Coast League All-Star game Wednesday and currently leads the Bees in batting average (.326), runs scored (69) and home runs (20).

He was named PCL Batter of the Week on April 14, Angels Minor League Player of the Month in April, and also selected to participate in the 2008 Triple-A All-Star Home Run Derby.

The infielder made his major league debut on May 10, 2007, and appeared in four games with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim last season. Brown has appeared in five games with the Angels in 2008, registering one double and two RBI. The Bellevue, Wash. native was originally selected by the Angels in the 10th round of the 2001 draft out of Coeur d'Alene High School (Idaho).

"Having two of our players selected to the U.S. Olympic Team is a testament to the Angels' commitment to their farm teams," said Bees general manager Marc Amicone. "The Angels invest in their farm system, and it shows."

Selected to Team USA for the 2008 All-Star Futures Game, Jepsen is in his seventh season in the Angels' organization. He currently owns a 0-2 record and 2.76 ERA with two saves in 10 games this season, his first in Triple-A. Recalled from Double-A Arkansas on June 10, he registered a 2-1 record and 1.42 ERA with 11 saves in 25 games for the Travelers. Jepsen was originally selected by the Angels in the second round of the 2002 draft out of Bishop Manogue High School (Reno, NV).

Both players will make a first appearance with USA Baseball and are the first Salt Lake representatives since Doug Mientkiewicz in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

The U.S. team features 14 Triple-A players, seven Double-A players and one Class-A representative. The Angels are one of eight major league organizations to land two players on the Olympic roster.