Luke Hochevar needs to learn how to pitch

It's just you.    One attribute that I have no concerns about Luke is whether or not he knows how to pitch.   Seemingly out of nowhere the Royals have assembled a rotation of cerebral pitchers who really know how to get batters out.   

Zack has learned to pitch to contact early to keep his count down and then crank it up in the middle to latter innings when he needs to.  He has kept batters off balance by mixing up his pitches and varying his fastball all season. 

Brian Bannister is like a professor on the mound.  I heard him on 810 this morning and he so impressive to listen to.  He mentioned how he researches what the pundants say about him and actually applies what he finds to be valid.  

Gil Meche combines good stuff with mound presence.   He establishes control early in an at bat.

And Hochevar is starting to look like he really has a plan with every hitter and it's translating into success.  

I don't know how much of this is Bob McClure or Trey Hillman but I do think the 4 of them feed off eachother's success and knowledge.   Bannister mentioned how all four of them talk about grips and different approaches against different hitters.

Wow, sorry for going on like that but I am very excited with our rotation at the moment.  I dare to imagine what it mike be like next year if Soria moves in.   

I agree completely with you ShoeShineBoy.  Hochevar's leg kick doesn't have anything to do with his pitch selection and smarts on the mound.  He doesn't use the leg kick as much in the stretch, so it's not as if he is giving away second base.

If he continues to have a sub 4.00 ERA and a winning record, I don't know how you can complain about him not knowing how to pitch.

I think Luke has looked like a stud at times!  We have some pitchers who have the mental make up to get batters out. (maybe not grienke he got skills) Shoe shine you want soria in the starting rotation?  Man if he does I hope he's got the same attitude he has in relief. I would leave him in the bull.

Question: Do you think Dayton Moore had anything to do with Hocheavor as our #1 pick a few years ago?  remember he was still working in atlanta

Actually I'm torn on where I want Soria but the organization keeps hinting that he is headed to the rotation at some point.   Having watched the Royals squander many leads in the past 10 seasons I love the fact that we have a shutdown closer but at the same time what a rotation this could be...   Greinke, Soria, Meche, Bannister, Hochevar.  Young and studly. 

As for Dayton's influence on the Hochevar pick.  I was suspicious at the time.  How could an incoming GM not want to have something to do with the team's 1st round pick, especially considering it was the #1 overall?  I find that hard to believe.   Now that Luke is performing well maybe we wil hear that Dayon did indeed endorse the pick but didn't actually make the selection.

I agree........ how many closers did we run through (mcdougal, berrgoux,dotel just to mention a few) I think the bull pen has been one of our bright spots the last 2 years, if we get late in the game and have the lead generally it's safe. I for one say lets leave good enough alone Soria is dominant closer, they don't grow on trees.  We can find another starter if Grienke moves up to the #1 meche #2 Banny#3 Hocheavor#4 and.........  that's a sup 3 era starting 4 in the A.L. that's money in the bank the fith starter is usually a turd anyway.

One guy not getting alot of pud is Leo Nunez. This guy is soooo little and has been pitching in alot of different scenarios the last few years (as i recall he was a starter then middle relief then tried closing might be wrong about the closer) but now with some consistancy this guy is looking great this year. (I always root for the little guy)

Yeah the Hocheavor pick just reeks of Dayton Moore.  How lucky are we to have this guy? (Dayton)

Totally off subject here but what do you think about the darrell arthur crap floating around?

Like I said on the KU forum it's a total non-issue.   The NCAA certified him eligible and that relieves the institution of any wrong doing.  KU entered into that in good faith and no wrong doing occurred while he was here.   This high school program has a lot to answer for as this would be the second time they are guilty of this type of thing and the first one already cost them a state title.   

You need to learn proper grammar and how to spell. What is surpize??????

First off...considering Hochevar's age and major league experience, I'd say he's picking up his craft quite well.  Of course he's not as fine tuned as Greinke or Banny, but hell, he doesn't even have 10 ML starts under his belt yet.  I'm not worried on whether he knows how to pitch.  From what I hear, our starters talk pitching with one another quite a lot.   How to approach certain hitters, etc..  All Luke needs to do is listen, learn and apply.  He seems to be a bright kid with the tools he needs, so I think he'll be fine. 

I think the Royals should wait and see on the question of moving Soria to the rotation.  First off, no sense at all as long as we're in the hunt.  I don't like the idea of doing that kind of move during the season unless we're out of the hunt and we have a need in the rotation and we either have or can acquire a good closer.   Its good to hear Davies is doing well in Omaha.  He didn't show much last year or in spring training, but he does have the arm, he just needs to...whats that term...learn how to pitch.  He must be catching on some and like you said rockchalk, if Tomko falters, lets get Kyle up here.