Brandon Wood is sort of like the Salt Lake Bees version of Crash Davis.

Davis, the fictional protagonist played by Kevin Costner in the classic film "Bull Durham," had spent his entire adult life toiling in baseball's farm system hoping for more than just a "cup of coffee" in "the show" — aka the major leagues.

In the process, he had become the all-time minor-league home run leader — a distinction he wasn't too proud of since it meant he never really achieved his major-league dream.

Last week Wood, now in his third season as an infielder for the Bees, set the franchise home run record. No one in a Buzz/Stingers/Bees uniform has hit more baseballs over the fence than Wood.

But while Wood, like Davis, is a minor-league home run record breaker, there is a significant difference. Davis, in his thirties, was nearing the end of his playing days in the film.

Wood, who is just 24 and who has already had several cups of coffee in the show, is still projected to be a longtime major leaguer and perhaps an All Star.

"We've tried to emphasize to him that his time will come," said Bees manager Bobby Mitchell of Wood. "He's still young. He's got a lot of baseball left. Hopefully it will be with (the Bees parent Los Angeles Angels). If not — and he gets traded or something — we know he has the ability to play in the big leagues, no doubt."

Wood is like a number of current Bees players who have gotten enough of a taste of the majors to know they want to get back — for good. Instead, Wood and fellow infielders Sean Rodriguez and Matt Brown are all biding their time and working on their games while helping the Bees to a Pacific Coast League-best 24-15 record even after Tuesday's 3-2 home loss to the Iowa Cubs.

Wood has played in a grand total of 71 games for the Angels, including three this year when he saw limited action during a two-week call-up. During that cup of coffee this season Wood went 3-for-9 but was demoted to the Bees on May 6 so he could get more regular plate appearances.

It would be easy for Wood to sulk over not getting the chance to show what he can do on an everyday basis for the Angels. Instead, he's made the most of his opportunities in Salt Lake. Wood is hitting .359 with nine home runs for the Bees, giving him 63 homers for his Salt Lake career.

"If you come down with the feeling that 'I should be in the big leagues and I'm not going to play to my potential because I'm frustrated,' that is only going to put you in a bad situation," said Wood. "We're still playing baseball and the game is fun — so that's the way I try to look at it."