By Andrew Cushman, Minor League Baseball Staff Writer

As the calendar churns toward Major League Baseball's July 31st trading deadline, rumors and speculation are running rampant about potential deals. One name sure to surface will be that of Anaheim Angels prospect Dallas McPherson.

Recently promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake in the Pacific Coast League, McPherson absolutely destroyed Double-A Texas League pitching in the first half of the season. McPherson's first-half numbers ranked him in the top-10 in 11 offensive categories: .321 batting average (8th), 53 runs scored (2nd), 69 hits (1st), 84 hits (T-3rd), 17 doubles (T-7th), six triples (T-2nd), 20 home runs (1st), 173 total bases (1st), 34 walks (5th), .404 on-base percentage (6th) and throw in a gaudy .660 slugging percentage.

Since he arrived at Salt Lake, the 6'4, 220-pound third baseman has gone 8-for-22 with six extra-base hits - a .364 average. He's already jacked three home runs, collected seven RBI and scored seven runs. More importantly, especially to McPherson, is that Salt Lake, which was 20-games under .500 before he arrived, has gone 5-1 since his arrival.

It's also fitting that McPherson credits his dad as having the most influence on his game. Not one to pose or posture after hitting a home run, a la Barry Bonds or Sammy Sosa, Dallas McPherson is your father's kind of ballplayer. An old school slugger, who isn't happy if his uniform is clean, McPherson is as can't-miss a prospect as any in Minor League baseball. And despite what the Angels could receive for him on the trade market, the guess here says McPherson is untouchable, especially with Anaheim's three-time all-star third baseman Troy Glaus on the 60-day disabled list following shoulder surgery.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with McPherson on a variety of topics from Glaus' injury to respecting the game to his promotion to Triple-A.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Did you ever think you'd have as good a season as you are having?

DALLAS MCPHERSON: I couldn't have hoped for a better year than I'm having right now. I've always had faith in myself to have consistent years, but never to have anything like I'm having right now.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: What is the biggest difference between this year and last year?

DALLAS MCPHERSON: Nothing has really changed with my swing. I've just learned my swing a little bit more and what I can do with certain pitches a little bit better. And I think getting more at bats in spring training probably helped more than anything because I'm usually a slow starter, so it's really just getting out of the gates a little bit better, a little quicker.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Talk a little bit about getting called up to Triple-A?

DALLAS MCPHERSON: I just got here (June 21). I was happy. I was glad. I'm thankful for the opportunity. Leaving the team (Double-A Arkansas) I was with, is really the first time in my career. Most of those guys I've been with all the way up. So, I mean I was nervous and happy at the same time.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: What concerns do you have moving up to Triple-A?

DALLAS MCPHERSON: The game is the same. I don't think the game is going to change that much. I think guys are smarter and they do things more consistently. I think that's the biggest addition I'm going to have to make is being consistent every day and learning how to take what pitchers give me a little more often. I don't think they are going to make as many mistakes up here and that's going to be something I have to adjust to.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Do you feel you are ready for the big league?

DALLAS MCPHERSON: I don't know. I've never played there so I don't know. I think that I could go up there and compete. I don't know that I'm ready to compete everyday day in and day out at the level that they want me to compete at or the level you have to compete at there to be successful.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: How anxious are you to get to the Majors?

DALLAS MCPHERSON: Of course I'm anxious. That's my goal, that's what I want, but I'm not impatient by any means. I'm happy where I'm at right now. I'm happy with the way they (the Anaheim Angels franchise) are moving me and I know that when the organization feels I'm ready, they'll make the move.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Can you talk about your own desire or itch to get to the Majors? Is it constantly there?

DALLAS MCPHERSON: I think it's always there. I mean I love playing the game. That's the reason I play it. I'm not here to prove a point or prove anybody wrong, I just love playing the game and doing what I can do to help a team win. Winning every night and going home happy every night and knowing that you helped is... there is nothing more satisfying than that.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: What was your reaction when you heard Troy Glaus needed surgery?

DALLAS MCPHERSON: I didn't really have a reaction to it. I wasn't expecting a phone call or anything like that if that's what you are getting at. At the time it happened, I really wasn't even doing that well in Double-A. I think I was hitting about .280 at the time, so I wasn't expecting a phone call or anything like that. I hated it for Troy. I hated it for the Angels. It's a tough loss.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: What players did you grow up watching?

DALLAS MCPHERSON: I'm a huge Cal Ripken fan. Don Mattingly was probably my favorite hitter. In the later years, I followed Chipper Jones and Jim Thome.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Other than ballplayers, who influenced your game the most?

DALLAS MCPHERSON: My father. Definitely my dad. He's a big baseball fan. He introduced me to the game at an early age and he wouldn't let me... if I was going to play, I was going to play the right way and I was going to give 100 percent to it and that's just the way he believes in things and it's kind something I've (taken) from him.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: If there is one, what aspect of your game do you feel you need to work on?

DALLAS MCPHERSON: There are definitely a lot of things I need to work. I need to get better at being more patient and learning how to take what pitchers give me. Defense especially, I have a lot of improvement to do at third base. And then experience. Learning everything that's going to come up in a game. I've already experienced things this year that I've never experienced before and getting those mistakes out of the way are I think crucial for a guy to excel.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Aside from getting to play pro ball, what are you most looking forward to?

DALLAS MCPHERSON: I'm getting married in the fall season and I can't wait for that to happen. Having a family, that means a lot to me in my life. That will definitely be the No. 1 thing that has ever happened to me. That's probably my No.1 goal to make my wife happy and be a good father one day.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Could you finish this sentence? If there is one thing Dallas McPherson hates it is...

DALLAS MCPHERSON: Guys who don't respect the game. Guys that play and don't respect the game.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Same drill, if there is one thing people should know about Dallas McPherson the ballplayer it is...

DALLAS MCPHERSON: Loves to play the game. Loves to be here everyday. It's what I wake up for every morning.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Last one, If there is one thing people should know about Dallas McPherson the person, it is...

DALLAS MCPHERSON: I love spending time with my family and my fiance.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Do you have a favorite movie?

DALLAS MCPHERSON: I'd say Armageddon

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Favorite band?

DALLAS MCPHERSON: 3 Doors Down

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Favorite food?

DALLAS MCPHERSON: Steak

THE SPORTSNETWORK: When you get the call that you are promoted to the Big Show, who is the first person you are going to call?

DALLAS MCPHERSON: Definitely my dad.