[tk13]

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/09/10...-hochevar.html

In-depth article in the KC Star about Hochevar. Says the Royals still believe he can be a successful pitcher. Of course, the season isn't over so they have to say that, but we'll see.

The most interesting part is the back and forth between him and Eiland. Eiland wants him to stop throwing the cutter so much. Says it's affecting his other pitches. Says he has too many pitches and he needs to simplify it down to 3-4. Hochevar notes that batters hit .170 against his cutter. He also sounds like he's sick of everyone tinkering with everything he does.

Hochevar’s resistance, which he acknowledges, stems from numerous club-prompted tweaks in the past. Former pitching coach Bob McClure worked to moderate what he viewed as an over-aggressive approach. (That remains a problem; more on that in a bit.)

Midway through the 2011 season, Yost called for greater variance in pitch location, specifically seeking an increase at throwing inside. Now, Eiland wants a reduced arsenal.

“It’s the easier way,” Hochevar said, “to just start tweaking things or changing things – things that aren’t a factor. Sometimes it takes more courage to stay the course as opposed to saying, ‘I’m going to try something completely different.’”

Hochevar agrees that his cutter can lead to bad habits on other pitches but argues the solution is to eliminate the bad habits, not the cutter.

“I really don’t think it matters what pitch you’re throwing if you execute it,” he said. “A good pitch is a good pitch. It doesn’t matter if it’s cutting, sinking, four-seaming, curving, sliding…

“If you go out and execute, that’s the bottom line. And that’s where my mind is because I’ve been down that road too many times. Oh, this is it. Or here it is. This is the ticket right here…No. When you’re set is when you’re making good pitches.”

Eiland’s response: “How successful have you been doing it this way? Tell me.”

The debate continues.

There is no argument regarding Hochevar’s competitive fire. It is that quality, plus his stuff, that keeps the Royals convinced that he can eventually harness his gifts. But that aggressiveness has a dark side that surfaces in a tendency to surrender big innings.

“No matter what he’s throwing,” Eiland said, “when he gets in trouble, he tends to overthrow. He wants to make his good stuff even better. He starts pulling his head off-line, the shoulder comes up, the arm slot drops, and he gets on the side of all of his pitches.

“It happens when he’s really trying to make a good, quality pitch rather than just staying within himself, trusting his delivery, trusting his ability and trusting his stuff. Sometimes, I don’t think he gives his stuff enough credit.”