KC Royals: Five Most Surprising Players So Far This Season

Biggest Royals Surprises So Far This Season – Number 5: Luke Hochevar

Luke Hochevar looked to be another Kansas City Royals bust early on in his career. He had an ERA of 5.73 during the 2012 season and was sent to the bullpen for the 2013 season.

Hochevar has been a huge part in the bullpen this season and has appeared to be the guy who can step into any inning in relief and do his part.

From there, Hochevar found his role for the Royals. He had a career-low ERA of 1.92 in 2013 with 70.1 innings pitched. Fans were stoked for the new Hoch to be unleashed in 2014, but he ended up needing Tommy John surgery and didn’t return to the mound until the 2015 season.

Hochevar had a nice year in the bullpen during the team’s World Series run, but did fans expect him to keep that performance up? I sure didn’t.

Through 19 games and 18.1 innings pitched, Hochevar is sporting a 2.95 ERA. He’s only given up 12 hits, six runs, and two home runs. He’s walked four batters and struck out 23.

Hochevar has been a huge part in the bullpen this season and has appeared to be the guy who can step into any inning in relief and do his part. He can put the fire or come in for an inning and not allow any damage.

Despite it being early in the season, Luke Hochevar has shown that 2013 and 2015 weren’t flukes for the former first overall pick. Let’s hope he can keep on dealing on the mound.

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