Casey Kotchman

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**Casey Kotchman**

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — No. 35
First Baseman
Born: February 22, 1983 (1983-02-22) (age 25)
Bats: Left	Throws: Left
Major League Baseball debut
May 9, 2004 for the Anaheim Angels
Selected MLB statistics (through May 30, 2008)
Batting Average	.276
Home Runs	25
Runs Batted In	141
Teams
Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004-present)

Casey John Kotchman (born February 22, 1983 in St. Petersburg, Florida) is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Los Angeles Angels. He was on the National Champion team Seminole High School. The Angels selected Kotchman with the thirteenth overall pick in the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft.

In 2006, the Angels moved 2005 starter Darin Erstad back to center field, announcing that Kotchman would likely open the season at first base. After struggling in his at bats early in 2006 because of mononucleosis, Kotchman was placed on the disabled list in early May. In 2007, Kotchman proclaimed himself fully healthy and proved it by winning the Angels' opening day first baseman job for the second straight year.

[edit] 2006 Career Highlights

Kotchman missed 128 games in 2006, as he was kept away from the field with complications stemming from mononucleosis. After a spring in which the Opening Day starting first baseman batted better than .400, he hit just .152 with one home run and six RBIs in 29 games with the Angels. Kotchman tried to return to the field, but his rehab assignment was cut short when he experienced dizzy spells in July while playing for Triple-A Salt Lake. He spent much of the rest of the season at home in Florida, performing cardio exercises.

[edit] 2007 Career Highlights

One of seven Angels regulars to hit over .290 (most in Majors)...Established career highs in several offensive categories including avg. (.296), home runs (11) and RBI (68)...Hit .320 at Angel Stadium and .274 on road...Had 7-game hit streak (7/31-8/7), his 4th seven-game streak of season (each matching a career-high)...Returned to starting lineup June 25 after missing seven games...Left June 16 game at LAD in 7th after being hit on helmet by pickoff throw at second base by LAD catcher Russell Martin...Diagnosed with mild concussion and received three stitches behind right ear...Logged three triples - entered season with none in career...Connected for second career grand slam in first inning May 14 at Texas...997 fielding pct. this season ranked fourth among AL first basemen (3 E/1049 TC)...Hit solo HR Opening Night vs. Texas in his first at-bat of season, his first HR since May 4, 2006 at Detroit...Connected for gamewinning RBI single in 9th inning July 13 vs. Texas...Collected career-best four hits in Game 1, Aug. 17 at Boston...Hit .363 (29/80) in May.