Indians counting on newly acquired Kotchman

Indians are counting on newly-acquired Casey Kotchman to be a defensive strength at first base.

By Paul Hoynes

Cleveland Plain Dealer

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.

It is a fast-twitch world. Casey Kotchman knows all about it.

Last year, he went to spring training with the Tampa Bay Rays on a minor-league contract after playing nearly six years in the big leagues. He didn’t make the opening-day roster and started the season at Class AAA Durham.

The world, however, can twitch at the most unexpected times.

After one game at Durham, the Rays recalled him when Manny Ramirez retired rather than face a 100-game suspension following his second positive test for a banned substance.

“Things happen real quick in life: from blink to blink, from heartbeat to heartbeat,” said Kotchman.

At first he was a late-inning defensive replacement. Baseball people love Kotchman’s glove at first base. His bat, not so much. But by the end of April, Kotchman was hitting .341. By the end of May, his average was up to .361. In June, he was the regular first baseman.

“You have to make the most out of the opportunities that you get,” said Kotchman, “and give yourself a chance to have some success.”

Kotchman ended the year with a career-high .306 (153-for-500) average. He was eligible for free agency and took the plunge. Over the winter, the world’s fast-twitch fiber slowed. Kotchman was a free agent in a crowded market. Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder and Carlos Pena found jobs before him. When Pena signed with the Rays, Kotchman knew he wasn’t going back to Tropicana Field and Cleveland was probably his next home.

“It’s an interesting process,” said Kotchman. “I think a lot of teams were sitting back and waiting to see if somebody signs here or somebody is available in a trade. You’re just trying to find a fit that works for both sides. Fortunately, I ended up in Cleveland.”

The Indians signed him to a one-year, $3 million contract. They have not been disappointed. Mike Hargrove played first base for 12 years in the big leagues. He’s in camp with the Indians specifically to work with the first basemen.

When asked if he’d offered any suggestions to Kotchman, Hargrove laughed and said, “No way. I don’t want to screw him up. He’s got great hands and feet.”

Kotchman played his fourth Cactus League game Tuesday in the Indians’ 10-2 victory over Arizona. It’s not a lot of time to make a judgment, but manager Manny Acta is working from a deeper file of information.

“I saw Casey in Atlanta when I was in the National League,” said Acta. “I saw him in Seattle a couple of years ago. Numbers don’t lie. They don’t show everything, but they don’t lie.

“The guy has the highest fielding percentage (.998) of any first baseman with at least 700 games in history.”

Kotchman will help the defense, especially if youngsters Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall start at second and third base. The defense might be even better if Jack Hannahan wins the job to anchor the defense at third.