Comments on: The Unatomic Slider

By: jim fetterolf

jim fetterolf — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:25:59 +0000

Good work, Craig. You are at your best when you deal with charts and facts rather than the talk radio “opinion du jour”.

By: sullivanroyal

sullivanroyal — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:44:33 +0000

Here is an update for this past weekend’s start where he did well. Slider results show it still didn’t help him any. No swing and whiffs. Ball was put in play more often that chart above showed for 2012 to date article was written.

http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/pitcher/460024/?batters=A&count=AA&pitches=SL&from=5%2F10%2F2012&to=5%2F13%2F2012

By: Big Lee

Big Lee — Sat, 12 May 2012 17:14:20 +0000

Why not a DL stint and rehab in the minors for Hoch? Injury could be tendonitis, or the ankle may still be swollen. Let him work out the bugs in a low stress environment, which may be closer to his level of grit.

Roster management is a huge problem for the Royals, no doubt exaserbated by an overall lack of talent. Start Adcock in KC, or in Omaha. Using him as a long man this year makes no sense, if he was worth the rule 10 routine last year. Mendoza or Vin M, or SOS should be long man.

By: Chad

Chad — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:16:14 +0000

Well said Sean. The Royals should bring up their young talent as soon as possible, that way they can learn to pitch in the big leagues, it can’t be any worse than leaving Hoch in there to learn nothing. Who knows, they might start strong and build confidence early in their careers like so many other 19-21 yr olds who are big league studs already. Why does KC seem to leave their top prospects in the minors until they are 23-24 yrs old? Strasburg, Harper, and many others drafted after Monty, Odirizzi are in the bigs.

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:02:24 +0000

Dave Duncan is and was a helluva pitching coach but for every Kyle Lohse he had a Wainwright. He cleaned up Carpenter as well but he had the talent, just couldn’t stay healthy. The point is, besides Duffy, who can he really work with? Hochevar is out of options for a reason. Same with Chen/Paulino etc. He could hit lightening in a bottle but KC at this point in the Process needs proven commodities. They are all ready banking Montgomery and crew step in right away and win 20 games. The “win now” stuff that came out this morning is comical. I hope this isn’t their idea of a “all in” starting rotation. For some reason, 2nd base in the upper offices is the most important position on the field.

By: airgoesit

airgoesit — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:35:40 +0000

In this space with the rants, not just the columns. I know you guys are better than that!

By: airgoesit

airgoesit — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:34:17 +0000

It was a good post, thank you. I have to say, though, the first 4 or 5 responses remind of a car dealership’s website or app store where all the employees were told to write something extremely positive about the place or lose their jobs.
I’m also reminded of the many rants on this site and others that all Bob McClure was good for was changing arm slots…
how much money do you think it would take to lure Dave Duncan in as a “consultant.”

By: DanL

DanL — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:02:46 +0000

Kyle....your comments contradict themselves: If bloggers can see why he is back to his “old” self again why cant a pitching coach that gets paid millions see it? So you are saying Eiland cant figure out whats wrong with him? Arent pitching coaches supposed to find “flaws” or habits that pitchers need to work on or correct? Im no expert

By: Kyle

Kyle — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:21:56 +0000

DanL…So you are saying Eiland cant figure out whats wrong with him? Arent pitching coaches supposed to find “flaws” or habits that pitchers need to work on or correct? Im no expert but from what I seen the last half of last year to this year is Hoch is using different arm angles and isnt being consistent. If he can figure out why he is struggling I believe he will be a hell of a lot better and can be a servicable #2 or #3 starter.

Craig…If they Royals are aware of it how come we arent seeing a change in his delivery or results? I understand we arent going to see it in a cuple of starts but I hope they are working on it with him and he can find the success he had the 2nd half of last year but like I said if he doesnt then they need to put him in the BP as a LR or set up man.

By: Craig Brown

Craig Brown — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:06:38 +0000

Thanks for all the kind words. You guys are the best…

Kyle – We don’t know that the Royals aren’t aware of the issues surrounding his slider. It’s possible someone has told Hochevar what’s up, but he’s unable (or unwilling) to execute.

CMK – Good point on Sal. I guess the only way to know for sure is to keep Hochevar in the rotation for the full year. I know some fans will love that.

Jason – You summed up my thoughts.