Kotchman Looks Strong

While one door shut in the face of Dallas McPherson this winter, another door opened for Casey Kotchman, who has looked extremely comfortable since crossing the threshold from top prospect to big league starter.

The Angels felt Kotchman earned a crack at an every-day job with a solid two-month stint (.278, seven home runs, 22 runs batted in) in Anaheim last season, so they traded center fielder Steve Finley to San Francisco and moved first baseman Darin Erstad back to the outfield to clear first base for the 23-year-old Kotchman.

The deal cost McPherson his third-base job -- Chone Figgins, the team’s leadoff hitter and projected center fielder, was moved to third -- but if this spring is any indication, it appears the Angels made a wise choice.

Kotchman blasted a three-run home run to highlight a five-run second inning in Wednesday night’s 11-4 exhibition victory over the Giants and is batting .441 (15 for 34) with three home runs, three doubles and a team-leading 14 RBIs this spring.

Numerous attempts to add a slugger this winter failed, but is it possible Kotchman, who never hit more than 10 home runs in a minor league season but is learning how to lift and drive the ball more consistently, could provide some of the power the Angels sorely lacked in 2005?

“We’re confident our improvement on offense will come from within,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “Bill [Stoneman, Angel general manager] explored a lot of options to get an established bat, but you look at Kotchman, a guy with a lot of upside, and he’s stepping up to win the first base job and hopefully a prominent position in the batting order.”

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Kelvim Escobar, fresh off a successful performance for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, looked sharp in his first spring start for the Angels on Wednesday night, giving up two runs and three hits, including Barry Bonds’ first-inning two-run homer, in five innings.

Escobar, who gave up no earned runs and three hits in 7 2/3 WBC innings, struck out two and walked two in the 68-pitch outing against the Giants’ projected opening-day lineup, minus first baseman Lance Niekro.

“I think it definitely helped,” Escobar said of his WBC experience. “I’m game-ready. I feel strong. I just need to work on my mechanics and command of my fastball.”

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Erstad returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing eight days because of a bone spur in his right ankle, but his throwing shoulder is still bothering him, so he was the designated hitter Wednesday night.

“I’m not quite ready to crank it up,” said Erstad, who had an RBI double and two singles in three at-bats against the Giants, “so I’ll DH here.”

Moving between the outfield and first base and adjusting to different throwing motions has caused arm problems in the past, so Erstad is not surprised his shoulder acted up again.

“This is normal,” Erstad said. “I haven’t thrown [this] way in two years. It’s just a process. It’s going to be sore some days. We’re getting through it. It’s nothing major.”