The LA Angels traded for right-handed pitcher Brooks Pounders, 26, last December. He was selected in the second round of the 2009 Amateur Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was mostly used as a relief pitcher in his first three seasons, reaching Single-A by the end of his third season.
Pounders was then traded to the Kansas City Royals
. They were determined to make him a starting pitcher, and he was able to move up to Double-A rather quickly. However, he suffered an injury that required Tommy John surgery. Due to this and a lat injury, he missed most of his next two seasons.