
RHP Luke Hochevar
2016 Season stats – 37.1 IP, 3.86 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 9 BB/40 K
A first overall pick by the Kansas City Royals in 2006, Luke Hochevar failed in his intended role as a starter, compiling a 5.44 ERA over 128 starts with the organization.As soon as Royals manager Ned Yost gave him a chance to come out of the bullpen, he became a different pitcher. In 171 innings in his new found role, Hochevar managed a 2.95 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP, with 178 strikeouts to just 45 walks.
His pinpoint control has led to low WHIP and walk numbers, so when paired with a mid-90s fastball, his strikeouts have taken off as well.
Hochevar doesn’t have any significant closing experience, as he was blocked by Greg Holland and Kelvin Herrera in KC. But postseason pitching quality is another factor in the determination of a player’s clutch ability – and Hochevar was an ace then.
In 10.2 innings pitched during the Royals’ 2015 World Series winning postseason trip, the 6-foot-5 righty didn’t allow a run with four strikeouts and just six hits and one walk given up over that span.
So it’s safe to say that if Hochevar is needed in a high leverage situation, he would handle it just fine for the Metropolitans.