Kotchman, Esslinger and Griffith join Salt Lake's roster
June 16, 2004 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Salt Lake Bees News Release
Salt lake cityâThe Salt Lake Stingers have added three players to their roster this week including the Angels' top prospect named by Baseball America for 2004, 1B Casey Kotchman. Kotchman was optioned to Salt Lake from Anaheim on Sunday while RHP Cameron Esslinger returned to the Stingers for his second stint in Salt Lake from double-A Arkansas on Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, RHP Dustin Griffith made his first trip to a Triple-A roster, as he joined the Stingers from single-A Rancho Cucamonga. RHP Derrick Turnbow was recalled by the Angels yesterday to take Bengie Molina's roster spot in Anaheim, as Molina was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left calf. INF Javy Rodriguez was transferred from Salt Lake to double-A Arkansas effective June 14. The Stingers now have 23 players on the roster, one below the league limit of 24.
Kotchman, 21, batted .219 (22/101) with seven runs scored, six doubles and 14 RBI in 28 games with the Angels in his first major league stint of his career. He became the first player recalled by the Angels straight from double-A under Angels' General Manager Bill Stoneman. He began the year in Arkansas where he batted .368 (42/114) with 11 doubles, three home runs and 18 RBI in 28 games for the Travelers before being recalled by the Angels on May 9. A native of St. Petersburg, FL, Kotchman was originally selected by the Angels in the first round (13th pick overall) of the 2001 free agent draft.
Esslinger, 28, has posted a 1-0 record and 8.31 ERA (8.2 IP â 8 ER) in five games for the Stingers so far this year, including yesterday's two-inning appearance in the Stingers' second game of their doubleheader in Tacoma. He began the year in Arkansas and owns a 1-2 record with a 3.55 ERA (25.1 IP â 10 ER) with four saves, 13 walks and 20 strikeouts in 21 games for the Travelers this season. A native of Vineland, NJ, Esslinger is in his sixth professional season and was signed by the Angels in 2004 before spring training.
Griffith, 23, has posted a 1-4 record and 3.91 ERA (23 IP â 10 ER) with ten walks and 18 strikeouts in 20 games for Rancho Cucamonga this season. He also pitched in three games in Arkansas in 2004, with no record and a 4.50 ERA (4 IP â 2 ER) with three walks and three strikeouts. Griffith resides in Littleton, CO and was signed by the Angels as a nondrafted free agent on August 21, 2001.
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