In 2010, Bourjos was labeled the "fastest baseruner" and "best defensive outfielder" of the Angels' farm system by Baseball America, leading to an August call-up. 2011 was his statement year, during which he hit .271/.327/.438 and led the league in triples (11). In the seasons following, with a blossoming outfield in L.A. featuring Mike Trout, Josh Hamilton and Mark Trumbo, the Halos seemed to have enough versatility to trade one of their lower profile pieces, and Bourjos' name naturally came up.