PHOENIX — The Kansas City Royals have optioned right-hander Luke Hochevar to Triple-A Omaha, increasing the chances Sidney Ponson will fill a slot in the starting rotation.
Hochevar, a former Tennessee standout and the first player picked in the 2006 draft, had a 3.86 ERA in five spring training games, allowing 17 hits and four walks in 16 1-3 innings. He was 6-12 with a 5.51 ERA in 22 starts for Kansas City last season after starting the year with Omaha.
Manager Trey Hillman said Hochevar “obviously was disappointed” about the demotion.
“But it gets us a little bit closer to how we’re going to start, although we’ve got four or five days to figure that out,” Hillman said.
Hillman said he wants to see Hochevar learn to “use both sides of the plate with more consistency” and to stay away from big innings.
Hochevar said he knew there had been big expectations from him as top draft pick, but added, “I hold myself to a higher standard than anyone else does or anyone else ever could. I also understand it is a process. I also understand that there is a learning curve to keep myself from being discouraged or from being down on myself.
“Last year winning six games is not acceptable in my eyes and shouldn’t be in anybody’s eyes,” he said. “I feel like I should win more games than that and pitch more effectively than I did last year.”
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Comments » 5
kevin151 writes:
BUST!!
UTandETSUfan writes:
Could be the mental side, or it could be that he is pitching for the ROYALS...
Misplaced_Vol_in_KC writes:
Living in Kansas City, I can give a little insight to this. He is one of two that the Royals are sending to Omaha, due to having options. Ponson would not have any options and also one of the relievers. If they send either of those down, they have to clear waivers. This way they can see how Ponson does in real games, and then keep him or send him down/release him. Ponson has a lot of baggage. Hochevar will be back up.
orangesox writes:
Don't sleep on the Royals this year. They'll be better than people think.
rockytop4ever writes:
Luke will be fine. Go to the minors work on your stuff and fight to get your spot back. He has some sick stuff out there and he will be back in the majors early this year. Pitching for the Royals doesnt help anyone in the win loss column.
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