H/W: 6-5 210 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 9/15/83
Luke Hochevar, the #1 overall pick of the 2006 MLB Draft, completed his first full MLB season with the Royals going 6-12 with a 5.51 ERA and 47 BB/72 K in 121 IP. A stress fracture in his ribcage ended his season in the middle of August. Though his numbers were quite lackluster, Hochevar has an impressive arsenal of pitches led by a low 90's two seam fastball with heavy sink that induced 1.5 GO/FO with the Royals. He also throws a hard curve with a heavy late break that has the potential to be a strikeout pitch. His slider and changeup are merely "show me" pitches at this point and the command of them are still quite inconsistent. Hochevar worked hard in the offseason gaining nearly 20 lbs. that he hopes to hang on to throughout the '09 season. This should help enhance his durability and, perhaps bump his velocity a notch or two. Going forward, Hochevar needs to continue to clean up his mechanics on his delivery and sharpen the command of his slider and change. If he does so, he has an opportunity to be an excellent #2 or 3 starter.
2009 Projection: The Royals have a battle going on between Hochevar, Brian Bannister, and Horacio Ramirez for their final two rotation spots. Ramirez seems like a shoe-in given that he is a LHP. Hochevar's fine spring performance should give him the edge going into the season for the final spot. If Bannister wins the final rotation spot, Hochevar will likely fill the middle relief/spot starter role until things open up for him. Long term, the ground ball tendencies and five pitch arsenal make Luke a solid starting pitcher but, at 25 years old, he will need to make marked improvement in his mechanics and the effectiveness of his slider and change up if he wants to evolve into the frontline pitcher that the Royals drafted him to be.
Key Luke Hochevar Baseball Cards:
- 2006 Bowman Sterling Auto
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Auto
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2007 Bowman's Best Auto
 |
 Luke Hochevar 2007 Elite Extra School Colors 1500 US $1.50 |
 Luke Hochevar 07 Bowman Chrome Draft Rookie Card Pgi 10 US $15.99 |
 Luke Hochevar 07 Bowman Draft Picks Rookie Card Pgi 10 US $12.99 |
 Luke Hochevar Kansas City Royals 2006 Black Rc Xx 50 US $16.95 |
 2008 Finest 130 Luke Hochevar Rc Kansas City Royals US $2.10 |
 Luke Hochevar Kansas City Royals 08 Bowman Rookie Card US $1.00 |
 2008 Topps Finest Luke Hochevar 130 Rookie Card Royals US $2.80 |
 Luke Hochevar 2008 Upper Deck Goudey US $.99 |
 07 Bowman Chrome Ref Luke Hochevar Auto Sp 500 Royals US $1.89 |
 |
