Quote:
Originally Posted by RockChalk
Doubt it. While he was aborting his 2/3 of an inning, Hudler was going on and on about how great he looks in relief and how he's been able to just cut it loose...while throwing 92mph.
That being said, I'd love to know what Rex is on because I want some of it.
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He's on "team homer lollipops."
It's pretty clear to everyone that Hochevar is never going to get over his inability to pitch with men on base, and that's a pretty key aspect of the game.
Reminds me of a guy I played ball with in high school. Lefthanded pitcher who could hit 86-87 out of the windup, good control, decent curve and change. He was very tough to hit ... until you got a man on base. Then, all of a sudden, his velocity dropped, his location disappeared, and teams were able to hit him.
I think Hochevar starts worrying about so much other crap when there are men on - slide step, varying delivery time, trying to induce double plays, etc. - that he doesn't focus enough on throwing good pitches.
They've done everything they possibly can to try to get this guy to keep it simple and trust his talent, and he just can't.
I know the Royals are freaked out that if they cut him, some other team will pick him up and fix him, but he isn't fixable. Just like Kyle Davies, I predict that once KC moves Luke Hochevar, he never is really heard from again.
If they can convince some team desperate for a starting pitcher to trade them anything of value for Hochevar, they should do it and not look back.