Budde officially signed with the Anaheim Angels on July 10, , but did not play in 2001 due to an injury. Budde began his professional career in , playing for the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and the Double-A Arkansas Travelers. He played in a total of 90 games and batted .237 with 6 home runs. Budde played for the Quakes and the Travelers again in . Budde played in a total of 110 games and batted .217 with 11 home runs.