tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129904004334636055.post5156875730672444958..comments2008-02-29T16:13:33.782-06:00Ranyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713226276377020284noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129904004334636055.post-77705109217698400482008-02-29T16:13:00.000-06:002008-02-29T16:13:00.000-06:00

We have an anonymous Meche stalker. Bronchitis in high school? Wow. The injury concerns stem from his lack of ever reaching the 200 IP threshhold before last year...and considering there's a lot more seasons in the past where he didn't get it, he has to continue to prove himself...you'll hear less about it going into '09 if he does it again this year.

Antoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08740155942210835984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129904004334636055.post-45445535292105681872008-02-25T11:55:00.000-06:002008-02-25T11:55:00.000-06:00

Great analysis of Hochevar. I think you're right, he's become so criticized that he really is underrated now. I don't think he'll ever be an ace (the track record of #1 overall picks for pitchers is generally that they become solid #2/#3 starters, not ace pitchers - see Mike Moore, Tim Belcher, Andy Benes, Floyd Bannister) But that is still awfully valuable to have.For the record, I wanted Brad

Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03717407406969414614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129904004334636055.post-49797602467265053712008-02-25T09:06:00.000-06:002008-02-25T09:06:00.000-06:00

My problem with Hochevar is that this is all we got with the Number 1 pick in the draft. This is not a trivial point. To wave it away with "let's ignore he was the number 1 pick on the draft" is not good analysis of the issue. My problem with Hochevar is not him but that our Front Office thought he was the best player in the draft.And I think Rany is giving Hochevar way too much credit for last

kcghosthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06362423366736243156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129904004334636055.post-64952141556625541422008-02-24T23:52:00.000-06:002008-02-24T23:52:00.000-06:00

I am actually really sick and tired of hearing this thing about Meche's injuries past. Do you really ever do homework on this? As a M's fan for the past 30 years, I can tell you from the day Meche was drafted till he went to KC. Meche had bronchitis at HS which limited his senior year and thus it was a surprise he was even taken at 1st round. He got called up 1999 and shut down 2000. He was shut

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129904004334636055.post-43697151133681963402008-02-24T11:45:00.000-06:002008-02-24T11:45:00.000-06:00

Because it's often guys like Jorge de la Rosa and Luke Hudson that get those spots because they're out of options. If the prospect is deemed ready, then there's no reason to have him in the minor leagues. De la Rosa and Hudson have both had plenty (274 and 243 IP) time to show that they can at least make improvements and they have both failed (78 and 87 ERA+) and while they're not old (27 and

Antoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08740155942210835984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129904004334636055.post-81694909790684777732008-02-24T03:01:00.000-06:002008-02-24T03:01:00.000-06:00

I agree with your original point anonymous. I would prefer to protect a player, with value i.e. Nunez, over easing Hoch into a role. Especially whenever having Hoch pitch out of the pen is arguable for his development. I feel independent of spring training we should have Nunez in the pen, there will be plenty of opportunities to ease Hoch in over the season, if mgmt decides that's the right

Buddha_51http://www.blogger.com/profile/15942063209872148945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129904004334636055.post-67060443294983090582008-02-24T00:02:00.000-06:002008-02-24T00:02:00.000-06:00

I guess I dind't really make much of a point on the guys wihtout options... I was thinking that using Hochevar in favor of a guy without options means he'll be used in a limited role, one in which we are HOPING he doens't fill in the future, and a guy like Nunez (or any of the other dudes) is going to get picked up/traded. And maybe losing some guy like Nunez does us a favor in that we get

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129904004334636055.post-88221732659892873032008-02-23T23:52:00.000-06:002008-02-23T23:52:00.000-06:00

It's funny. We're so afraid of losing the guys without options...though they've had plenty of time to show they belong. I'm not interested in giving a spot to a less than worthy player over a ready prospect just because the former has no options remaining while the latter does. I know, I know. It's the realities of the game. But if Hochevar is deemed ready and he outpitches some of those

Antoniohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08740155942210835984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129904004334636055.post-66270825523781692672008-02-23T23:18:00.000-06:002008-02-23T23:18:00.000-06:00

Thank you for the Hoch argument! I've made this argument (underrated/overrated) to several in the past. Then again, you never know if the shoe fits until you try it on...My only issue with breaking Hochevar in via the pen is that it causes us to have to make a decision on one of the guys without options. I think that unless he absolutely destroys in spring training that he will start in AAA.

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129904004334636055.post-24091344260018777652008-02-23T22:12:00.000-06:002008-02-23T22:12:00.000-06:00

First time visiting the blog...Rany, I really never knew you were this good a writer until now (evidently I wasn't reading enough). Applause.I am on record for having declared just this offseason that the Royals should have traded Hochevar (many tomatoes were hurled in my general direction). Here was my thinking: It appears (key word: appears) that the Royals have good pitchers at slots 1, 2,

Jack Campbelljackstories.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129904004334636055.post-36085836600440449442008-02-23T21:05:00.000-06:002008-02-23T21:05:00.000-06:00

I like Rob Neyer, it sucks that R&R is finished.

Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08226970051052891668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129904004334636055.post-51010738604556217842008-02-23T17:36:00.000-06:002008-02-23T17:36:00.000-06:00

Rany, we are two weeks into your blog and you are setting a very high bar for yourself . . . this is the most fun I have had reading a blog in recent memory. Thanks for the insight, it has been a joy to read (and consequently reflect upon) so far.Onto Hochevar -You are right, I imagine fans and critics would not be so hard on him if he was not the #1 overall pick. I don't really have a problem

Carsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056568083169492242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129904004334636055.post-7000167265740249282008-02-23T15:17:00.000-06:002008-02-23T15:17:00.000-06:00

I was hoping KC would use that pick on Hoch and was thrilled when they did.

Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02403850105548136267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129904004334636055.post-91500490617073215972008-02-23T15:10:00.000-06:002008-02-23T15:10:00.000-06:00

Very well said, Rany. I think Hochevar projects to being a pretty good #3 SP and maybe a #2. He certainly won't be that good in 2008 and maybe not in 2009. But by the time the Royals are ready to genuinely contend, he'll be ready to be an above average MLB starter.And by then, will Lincecum's arm/elbow/shoulder have blown out? I'm not saying that is going to happen, but there is a risk and it

NYRoyalnoreply@blogger.com