Featured card:
2006 Topps Allen & Ginter Casey Kotchman through the mail autograph - as an Angels’ fan, I’ve really been impressed by the way you play defense.

Whether it is tracking down pop flies in foul territory or snatching errant throws from infielders or deftly catching line drives hit towards your way - you have basically evolved as the quarterback of the Angels’ infield.

I enjoy watching you best as a defender, when you field a batted ball towards first base. You have the quickest feet, racing the base runner who running down the line, to see who is going to get to the bag first. You seem to take some pride in being able to call off the pitcher running over to cover the bag.

Besides your defensive prowess, you have the ability to do a little bit of everything at the plate. You have shown the ability hit the ball for a little power and average, but also maintaining good plate discipline and bat control.

Hopefully, you can build upon the promise you’ve shown and get an opportunity to pursue your championship dreams with one of the best organizations in baseball.

Sincerely,

Laurens

PS: This is most of the actual letter I wrote to Kotchman for a TTM autograph request two weeks ago - he and minor leaguer Stephen Marek was traded to the Atlanta Braves on July 29 for slugger Mark Teixeira.

The LAA Angels are going for it right now and even if Teixeira is a three-month rental at best - they have Kendry Morales stuck in AAA to play first base in 2009. Losing Kotchman is a bummer, but it seemed to make the most sense to add another legitimate power threat, in order to be able to go further in the playoffs.