Casey Kotchman: Scouting Report
by lsu31always on Jul.30, 2008, under General
Being the son of a scout has its advantages, like knowing how to play fundamental baseball and being fundamentally sound. Kotchman’s glove is just as good as Teixeira’s. He has a short, but sharp swing. He should be a high average hitter. He possesses power to the gaps which should mature into a 25+ home run thread. He has good plate discipline. His K:BB ratio has taken a turn for the worse after the Angels pressed him to be more aggressive at the plate this year. The main negative on Kotchman is his durability. He has a knack for fluke injuries. His ceiling is that of Todd Helton only with less power. He is under the Braves control through the 2011 season. That will allow the Braves to develop Freddie Freeman. Tomorrow I will examine Stephen Marek, the other player the Braves received in the trade.
July 30th, 2008 on 6:56 am
Good trade. No way anybody’s giving up three or four players for a two-month rental … although I think the Angels have a good shot at signing Tex long-term.
In Kotchman, Wren got a good, young first baseman who is signed through 2011, who plays exceptional defense, who hits well (Kotchman wears out lefties) and who figures to get better.
Marek throws mid-90s, has experience as a starter and reliever, and has a ton of strikeouts in his minor-league career. We’ll see how he develops, but I like adding Kotchman to the core of young talent already in place.
Bud
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