According to FanGraphs, Casey Kotchman saved 1.6 runs while playing first base this season, in 146 games.
Casey Kotchman’s Infinite UZR
I’m afraid I must question their methods, because in just the first inning of Game 3, Kotchman saved seven runs! If you project those skills over 146 games, his Ultimate Zone Rating would be 832!
Ian Kinsler led off against David Price, and lifted a high pop into foul ground. Kotchman, fighting the low wall beyond first base, three enemy fans and the shadows thrown by seven catwalks, made the play.
After Elvis Andrus singled up the middle -- nothing even Kotchman could do about that -- Josh Hamilton hit a ground ball toward the Kotchman, who snagged the ball and then had some options ...
Throw to second and force the speedy Andrus?
Sprint to first base and hog all the glory for himself?
Wait for his pitcher to arrive and do the easy and democratic thing?
Hold on to the ball, because as long as you’ve got the ball, nobody can hit a home run?
Upon pondering these and presumably a dozen other possibilities, Kotchman flipped the baseball to Price, whose foot beat Hamilton’s foot by the splittest of seconds. Just as Kotchman planned.
Michael Young was next, and foolishly attempted to line a single into right field. He might as well have tried to hit the ball past Plastic Man; Kotchman blew a bubble, popped it, and started another bubble while going airborne to make what is, for him, the routine play.
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