St. Petersburg, FL (My Sportsbook) - Third baseman Dallas McPherson was named the winner of the J.G. Taylor Spink Award as the Topps/Minor League Player of the Year on Tuesday.

The slugger out of the Anaheim Angels organization put up big numbers at both the Double-A level and the Triple-A level this past season. While playing for the Arkansas Travelers in the Texas League and then the Salt Lake Stingers in the Pacific Coast League, he batted .317. In addition, he belted 40 home runs for the second highest total in all of Minor League Baseball, collected 126 RBI and a slugging percentage of .670.

McPherson, who was rewarded for his outstanding play with a call-up to the majors in early September, was selected in the second round of the 2002 draft out of The Citadel.

In 16 games with the Angels, McPherson batted .225 with three homers and six RBI in 40 at-bats. He also had a hit in nine at-bats with an RBI in three playoff games, as Anaheim was swept in three games by Boston in the Division Series.

Next season could be McPherson's first full year in the majors, as incumbent third baseman Troy Glaus is a free agent.

Previous winners of the 45-year-old award include Florida's World Series hero from a year ago Josh Beckett, Oakland's Eric Chavez, New York's Derek Jeter, Boston's Johnny Damon and Atlanta's Andruw Jones.