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Kotchman moves up after one big week

By PETE YOUNG

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 7, 2001

It was anticipated on June 5, the day Casey Kotchman was drafted in the first round by Anaheim, that he might get the chance to play minor league baseball for a team managed by his father.

The time has come.

After just one week (and four games) playing for Mesa, Ariz., the Angels' rookie league affiliate for high school draftees, Kotchman has been promoted to Provo, Utah, the Angels' rookie league affiliate for college draftees.

Tom Kotchman is the Provo manager. Sunday, he penciled his son's name into the No. 3 spot in the batting order, at first base.

"I don't even know how to describe it," Tom Kotchman said. "You're coaching your team, and then your son's up their hitting. It's something."

Casey Kotchman didn't disappoint, cracking an RBI double off the left-centerfield fence in his first at-bat, off of Ogden right-hander Jon Steitz, Milwaukee's third-round pick in June out of Yale. Kotchman finished 2-for-3 with two RBI.

Despite protracted contract negotiations with Anaheim that caused Kotchman to wait more than seven weeks after the draft to sign, he has needed no adjustment period to professional baseball. He went 9-for-15 in four games with Mesa, including a grand slam.

Kotchman was expected to play the rest of the season for Mesa. However, Provo first baseman Ed Polzein was promoted, creating the opening.

"It's good for him. It's a lot nicer climate here," Tom Kotchman said. "And I get to have him on my team."

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