|
|
| Danny Knobler of CBS Sports reports that the Braves have sent Casey Kotchman to the Red Sox for Adam LaRoche. |
Our View: Why the Red Sox need another first baseman is the question of the hour. LaRoche became expendable when they acquired Victor Martinez from the Indians, so why Kotchman isn't considered expendable by the same right makes no sense. Regardless, if he stays in Boston locked up behind Victor Martinez and Kevin Youkilis, his fantasy value will take a huge hit.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman had a huge day on Sunday, going 2-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBI, as the Braves pummeled the Brewers 10-2 in Milwaukee. |
Our View: He also hit his fifth home run of the season. Kotchman hasn't been great in Atlanta, but is a solid option in NL-only leagues at first base or utility.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman homered for the second time this month on Wednesday, after hitting none in June, as the Braves beat the Cubs 4-1 to take two out of three at Wrigley. |
Our View: Kotchman has only five home runs in 114 games for the Braves since coming to Atlanta in the Mark Teixeira trade. He currently shouldn't be owned in any format except for very deep NL-only or mixed leagues.
|
|
|
|
| The Miami Herald is reporting that the Braves have activated first baseman Casey Kotchman from the 15-day DL. In a corresponding move, the team optioned infielder Barbaro Canizares to Triple-A Gwinnett. |
Our View: Kotchman had been impressive before his injury, and fantasy owners need to hope he remains so upon his return to the Braves' lineup. Fantasy owners should feel free to activate Kotchman, as he is expected to return to the lineup as soon as tonight.
|
|
|
|
| The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that Braves' first baseman Casey Kotchman is set to begin his rehab assignment this weekend. Kotchman will play Saturday and Sunday for Triple-A Gwinnett, and if all goes well he is expected to be activated in time for Tuesday's game. |
Our View: Kotchman sounds like he is pretty close to being ready, and assuming he makes it through the weekend without reinjuring himself he should return Tuesday. Fantasy owners should be ready to activate him, and check back to make sure he will be ready to go.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman has been placed on the 15-day DL due to a strained calf and bruised shin, according to the Associated Press. The Braves recalled top pitching prospect Tommy Hanson from Triple-A as the adjoining move. |
Our View: Kotchman is eligible to come off the DL June 16.Martin Prado has been covering first base in his absence.
|
|
|
|
| The X-rays on Casey Kotchman's right shin were negative, and he has been diagnosed with a shin contusion, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is expected to miss three or four days with the injury. Kotchman was helped from the field during Sunday's game in the fourth inning after being hit by a pitch in the leg. |
Our View: Great news for Kotchman and the Braves. It looked bad, but luckily for him nothing in the leg is broken. The injury is minor, so if you have Kotchman you can expect him to be back this weekend.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman was 3-for-5 with three RBI in the Braves 8-1 win over the Rockies on Tuesday. |
Our View: Kotchman was the Braves' biggest bat on Tuesday while hitting second in the order. He likely saw some nice pitches hitting in front of Chipper Jones and took full advantage. Kotchman has been good this season, but doesn't have enough power to warrant mixed league consideration at first base.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman had a big day at the plate on Sunday, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI. Kotchman has been swinging a hot bat as of late and his average is up to .312 on the year. |
Our View: Kotchman victimized Brad Lidge for the second time in this series as he knocked an RBI double into center. He isn't hitting for much power, but he is getting on base. Kotchman doesn't hold much value in mixed leagues, be he can be a good source of average in NL-only leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman hit a three-run homer off Brad Lidge in the ninth inning of the Braves' 10-6 loss to the Phillies on Friday. It was his only hit in four trips to the plate. |
Our View: Kotchman hasn't shown much power this season (the homer was just his second), but he's hitting for average. He's currently at .310 on the season and also has 11 doubles to compliment those two home runs. He's not a great mixed league first baseman, but has value in NL-only leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman went 3-for-4 with two RBI in Thursday's 4-2 win at Florida. He had a single, double, and solo home run. |
Our View: Kotchman raised his season average to .313, and collected his first homer of the year.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman has missed the past week while suffering from flu-like symptoms and has decided to go to the hospital to get checked out, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. |
Our View: While he may be a bit rusty upon his return after missing over a week's action, it's still highly unlikely that Kotchman's condition will cause him to miss any time once the season starts in a week and a half. He remains a safe pick at first base in NL-only leagues as well as deeper mixed formats.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman improved his spring batting average to .357 with a 1-for-2 day against the Yankees that featured a solo home run. |
Our View: Kotchman is a fine hitter, but he lacks the power that is so common at the position. You could do worse than Kotchman at first, but you will have to make of for his weakness.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman doubled and drove in his first two runs of the spring against the Yankees on Wednesday. He's currently hitting .333. |
Our View: Kotchman should benefit from a full season with the Braves, but his lack of power still makes him a risky pick at first base, which is loaded with mashers.
|
|
|
|
| The Braves and first baseman Casey Kotchman agreed to a one-year $2.885 million dollar deal that will keep them from going to arbitration, according to the New York Post. |
Our View: Kotchman struggled some after arriving in Atlanta last season. He remains a solid contact hitter who should post a higher average in 2009 than he did in '08 (.272). However, he provides little power relative to his position.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman went 2-for-4 in Saturday's 5-0 loss to the Mets in the bottom half of the doubleheader. Both of his hits were singles. |
Our View: Kotchman registered two hits, but snapped a three-game streak with an RBI.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman, who had missed the past 11 days while tending to his ailing mother, has been activated from the list, according to the Miami Herald. |
Our View: Kotchman has failed to do much of anything at all since being acquired by the Braves (.157/.259/.214 in 70 AB), and it's easy to see why considering what he has gone through off the field. He remains an option in NL-only leagues but not much else at this point.
|
|
|
|
| Braves have moved Casey Kotchman from the bereavement list to the restricted list. |
Our View: Kotchman was moved because he had spent the maximum seven days on the bereavement list. Kotchman's mother remains in an ICU unit in a Florida hospital with an undisclosed condition.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman missed his third game Friday while on the bereavement list to attend to his ailing mother, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. His mother is hospitalized with an undisclosed medical condition in St. Petersburg, Florida, and manager Bobby Cox was notified she was in stable condition, but in a lot of pain. Cox added, "He’s really shaken up," and told Kotchman to stay in Florida as long as he needs to.
|
Our View: Players can spend a minimum of three days and maximum of seven days on bereavement leave without going on the DL.
|
|
|
|
| Braves first baseman Casey Kotchman was put on the bereavement list by the team as his mother was in the hospital for undisclosed reasons, according to Braves.com. |
Our View: It is unknown exactly how long Kotchman will be gone, but his stay on the bereavement list can only last seven days. Adjust your lineups accordingly.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman had a tough day at the plate in Wednesday's 10-2 loss to the Cubs, as he went 0-for-4 with a strikeout, while leaving two men on base. |
Our View: His struggles with Atlanta continue, as he has now gone hitless in two straight games, and only has one hit over his last three outings.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman went 0-for-3 with an RBI as the Braves took down the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4. He is hitting just .152 since he was traded to the Braves. |
Our View: Kotchman has really had a tough time so far in Atlanta, with just five hits in nine games. He's too talented to stay down for long, and maybe having catcher Brian McCann hit behind him will help.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman picked up his first hit since joining the Braves as he went 1-for-3 from the cleanup spot for the club. |
Our View: Kotchman is just 1-for-12 in three games, but he will eventually hit. However, he is certainly completely miscast as a cleanup hitter.
|
|
|
|
| First baseman Casey Kotchman has been sent to the Atlanta Braves as one part of a swap for Mark Teixeira, according to ESPN.com. |
Our View: Kotchman is three years younger, and considerably cheaper than Teixeira, who is making $12.5 million this season, compared to Kotchman's salary of $1.45 million. He'll be under the Braves' control until 2011.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman had a special outing on Wednesday as he was a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate with one run and one RBI. |
Our View: Kotchman has been but a shell of his former self since the start of June hitting just .226 over 42 games before today. Maybe today will get his bat going, but without a .300+ average, he is currently hitting .289, Kotchman is nothing more than a bottom level corner infielder in mixed leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman hit a home run helping the Los Angeles Angels in their ninth inning comeback 4-3 win over the Oakland A's on Sunday afternoon. |
Our View: Kotchman's home run was his ninth of the season.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman is not in tonight's starting lineup after playing 16 straight games. |
Our View: The move is purely to get the first baseman a little rest and give Robb Quinlan some neccessary at-bats.
|
|
|
|
| With the Angels offense slumping, manager Mike Scioscia has decided to bat Casey Kotchman in the number two hole against right-handed hitters, according to the Orange County Register. |
Our View: This seems backwards, because Kotchman, who hits left-handed, is hitting .368 against lefties vs. .270 against right-handers. His on-base and slugging percentages are much better against southpaws as well. Either way, Kotchman has had a quality season for fantasy players. It would be nice to see a little more power, but his overall numbers won't disappoint.
|
|
|
|
| The Angels completed their interleague series with Philadelphia today, wrapping with a 3-2 win with the bulk of the offensive support coming from first baseman Casey Kotchman. Kotchman went 1-for-3 with a walk and his eighth home run of the season, posting two RBIs and one run scored on the day. |
Our View: Kotchman has struggled a bit at the plate this month, hitting just .226 for June coming in. This is just his second home since April 23rd.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer, and provided the only scoring in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Braves. |
Our View: That was his first homer since April 23, and his first RBI since May 30. Yet he is hitting a solid .303 for the season.
|
|
|
|
| The Angels suffered the troubling 4-3 loss to Toronto this evening as the offense struggled to perform. First baseman Casey Kotchman was the star of the evening, going 2-for-4 with two singles and a run scored. |
Our View: Kotchman is now hitting .313 on the season, going 10-for-26 with four RBIs and four runs scored over his last seven games.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman remains arguably the Angels most consistent contributor. The first baseman doubled home Torii Hunter with the go-ahead run in the third inning, and the Angels snapped a four-game road losing streak in Toronto. |
Our View: Kotchman has 27 RBI, 21 runs, one stolen base and six home runs while hitting .316 on the season.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman had another three hits on Wednesday night as he upped his RBI total to 19 for the Angels. |
Our View: Just another solid outing in what has been a month long trend of production. Kotchman finishes April hitting .344-6-19, production that surpasses even the most wild expectations of his owners.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman is batting in the cleanup spot for the Angels today, according to MLB.com. The slumping Garret Anderson has dropped to sixth in the order. |
Our View: Garret Anderson hinted that he could be dropping from the cleanup spot due to his poor play, and Kotchman is better suited for the cleanup role, as he holds a .598 sluggling percentage and .329 batting average, with six homers and 16 RBI. He was already a hot fantasy performer, and his stock has has gone higher with his move to the four hole.
|
|
|
|
| The Angels are impressed with Casey Kotchman's power, according to MLB.com. Batting coach Mickey Hatcher stated, "One thing we preach is not to try to hit home runs. I see him going the other way when pitchers are trying to go the other way. He knows how to turn on it, how to use his hands to get inside a fastball inside. Guys who can stay inside a ball like he does are going to have potential to drive the ball. A lot of parks play to that for a left-handed hitter." Manager Mike Sciosca added, "I think Kotch is getting some pitches to hit and is doing a great job of squaring balls up. I think Kotch's swing is geared toward the line drive, using the whole field. Lately, he's getting some pitches to drive and is not missing them. What you're going to rate offense on is the number of runs you're driving in and scoring. Kotch was very productive last year without hitting a lot of home runs. If home runs come, great. But I don't think it's anything you can force. There's power potential there, but he's so gifted he's got a chance to be a perennial .300 hitter and drive in 100 runs without hitting 25 homers. For a selective hitter, Kotch is pretty aggressive. He's waiting for a ball in his zone, and he'll turn it loose, get his hands inside and put a good swing on it."
|
Our View: Kotchman ranked second in the American League in sluggling percentage with a .618 mark on Thursday, and was tied for the AL lead in homers with six. His fantasy stock will continue to rise.
|
|
|
|
| Angels 1B Casey Kotchman continues to swing a hot bat, going 2-for-3 in tonight's 6-4 win over the Boston Red Sox. Kotchman banged out his sixth home run of the season, belting a Craig Hansen offering into the bleachers in the sixth inning with two outs and no one on. |
Our View: Kotchman has posted at least one hit in 11 of his last 12 games.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman is off to the best start of his young career this season as he has four HR in 58 AB, twice as many home runs as he had in 151 career AB in April entering the season, this according to MLB.com. "He's putting it all together," one scout said. "You could seem him coming on last year. He's got the smooth swing, good eye, and has had enough time to figure out how [opposing pitchers] are going to pitch him. |
Our View: Kotchman doesn't figure to develop into a 30 HR hitter, but there is nothing wrong with a .300 hitting corner infielder with 20 home runs now is there?
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman came up big on Saturday as he went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, and three hits overall. |
Our View: Kotchman is now hitting a robust .333 with a somewhat surprising total of three home runs. He won't morph into a 30 HR hitter, but he likely was drafted far too late in most leagues this year given what figures to be a very fine offensive season that is in the works.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman hit his second home run of the season as the Angels defeated the Indians 9-5 on Wednesday. The first baseman is hitting .265 with five runs, two RBI and a stolen base midway through Week 2. |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman was 3-for-4 with a run scored as the Angels fell a run short to the Twins in both teams season opener. Kotchman is beginning to catch the eye of mixed leaguers. As long as he can stay healthy he should hit for average, power and find plenty of opportunities for RBI in the meat of the Los Angeles batting order. |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman signed a one-year deal with the Angels Friday, avoiding arbitration. Kotchman saw extended playing time last year, setting career bests with a .296 average, 11 homers and 68 RBI. |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman returned to the lineup Wednesday after missing six games due to a sprained left middle finger and bruised left thumb, according to the LA Times. He went 0-for-4 in his return, although he did have two RBI. |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman, out with a sprained middle finger, has been cleared for action after taking batting practice on Tuesday night, according to the Angels website. It's possible he'll return to the lineup tonight against Seattle. |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman was out of the lineup for the sixth consecutive game Tuesday with a sprained left middle finger and bruised left thumb, the AP reports. Mike Scioscia said Kotchman was doing "much better" after taking some swings Tuesday and that Kotchman was available to pinch hit Tuesday night. |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman, out since last Thursday because of a sprained left middle finger and bruised left thumb, took 15 to 20 swings off a tee, took ground balls at first base and made throws to second Monday, according to the LA Times. "There's still some swelling," said Kotchman. "But I would say everything felt OK." The Angels are hopeful of Kotchman returning to the lineup on Friday. |
|
|
|
| It remains unclear exactly when Casey Kotchman will be able to return to the lineup. Manager Mike Scioscia said that Kotchman will start swinging a bat in the "next day or two," though Kotchman hasn't regained enough feeling in his bruised left thumb to properly grip a baseball, according to the LA Times. Kotchman sprained his left middle finger and bruised his left thumb during Wednesday's game. An intitial estimate had him returning by the middle of this week, but until he can grip a ball and swing a bat, he'll be sitting out. |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman probably will be out until the middle of next week. He's expected to miss five or six games due to the sprained left middle finger and bruised left thumb he sustained during Wednesday's game, according to the LA Times. There was enough blood built up in his thumbnail that a small hole was drilled in the nail to relieve the pressure. It sounds like this injury probably will bother him for a while, but hopefully he'll be able to play through the pain sooner than later. Count him out for the weekend, though. |
|
|
|
| X-rays on Casey Kotchman's left thumb and middle finger were negative, but he's still expected to miss some games with the injury, according to the LA Times. He suffered the injury when he fouled a pitch off his hand on Wednesday. |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman will undergo further examination on his injured left thumb and middle finger. Kotchman was hurt when he checked a swing in Wednesday's game, according to the AP. He was not in the lineup Thursday night. |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman was back in the Angels' lineup Monday night after missing seven games with a concussion, according to the AP. He went 0-for-4. Kotchman was injured while diving back to second base when a one-hop throw by Dodgers catcher Russell Martin struck him on the helmet. |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman most likely will return to action on Monday, according to the LA Times. He's been out with a concussion,but it appears he's ready to play this week. |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman got in batting practice, took grounders and performed other drills on Saturday, according to the LA Times. "I don't know if he'll play [today]," manager Mike Scioscia said, "but we'll move forward. When he's ready, he's ready, but we're not targeting one day." Kotchman said he hasn't experienced any headaches since Wednesday. Recovering from a concussion, he's probably a game-time call for Sunday. |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman hit off a tee and took infield practice on Friday. If batting practice goes well today, he should get back into the mix on Sunday, according to the LA Times. Kotchman's been out with a concussion, but it appears he's about ready to return to action. |
|
|
|
| Mike Scioscia hopes Casey Kotchman will be able to return to the lineup Friday or Saturday against Pittsburgh, the AP reports. Kotchman hasn't played since suffering a concussion when hit in the batting helmet last Saturday on an attempted pickoff at second base. |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman who hasn't played since suffering a mild concussion Saturday, continues to improve and was able to join his teammates for stretching on Tuesday. He is shooting to a return on Friday, according to the LA Times. |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman suffered a mild concussion and needed three stitches to close a gash on his head after being hit by a pick-off attempt during Saturday's game. He said Sunday that he was still "a little out of it," according to the LA Times. "I don't feel as woozy, as spaced out, as I did Saturday," Kotchman said. "When I get my balance back, when I can work out and get my heart rate up without getting a little disoriented, I should be ready to go." Expect Kotchman to miss at least a couple of games; since the Angels are off Thursday, they may play it safely with him and hold him out until Friday. |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman was hit in the head Saturday while diving back to second base. He sustained a concussion and was taken to a hospital for treatment, according to the LA Times. "He was woozy, and he'll probably be woozy for a little while," manager Mike Scioscia said. Kotchman probably will need at least a couple of days to recover from the injury, and almost certainly will not play on Sunday. |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman was back in the lineup Tuesday night after missing a game because of a sore elbow that was hit by a pitch. He went 3-for-5 with a solo homer. |
|
|
|
| The Angels played Sunday's game without Casey Kotchman. He was hit on his right elbow by a pitch the night before and sustained a bruise, according to the LA Times. He's expected to be available for Tuesday's game, so it should be safe to stick him in your lineups this week. |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman was unable to complete Saturday's game. He was knocked out of the contest in the sixth inning after being hit on his right elbow with a pitch, according to the LA Times. X-rays were negative, and he was diagnosed with a bruised elbow. Kotchman is considered day-to-day and will probably be a game-time call on Sunday. |
|
|
|
| After hitting .341 with three homers and eight RBI this spring, Casey Kotchman has all but locked up the starting first base job with the Angels, according to the LA Times. He missed most of last season with mononucleosis. "I feel good, I feel strong, I feel fresh," Kotchman said. "That level of endurance, the concentration, is there the whole time I'm on the field, before and during games. That wasn't the case last year." |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman homered and singled during yesterday's game, as he tries to win the starting first base job with the Angels, according to the LA Times. Kotchman missed most of last season with mononucleosis and is battling Robb Quinlan, Kendry Morales and Shea Hillenbrand for action at first. "You see the tools," manager Mike Scioscia said. "You like the way he produces. You see the swing. It's going to be consistency — getting out there and staying healthy — that's going to be his last test." |
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman hit .265 with three homers in 45-50 games while playing winter ball in Puerto Rico, according to the LA Times. He missed most of last season with mononucleosis but said yesterday that he "felt good, I feel like I got my strength and energy back, I have a lot of pep." |
|
|
|
| Although the Angels haven't made a formal announcement, it appears that Casey Kotchman won't play again this season, according to the LA Times. He's still recovering from mononucleosis. "Casey would have to be back in baseball activity now to have any chance of coming back," manager Mike Scioscia said. "We're past the point where he can get to where he needs to be." |
|
|
|
| The LA Times reports that the Angels aren't counting on Casey Kotchman coming back this season. Recovering from mononucleosis, Kotchman's rehab assignment recently was put on hold after he experienced dizziness. |
|
