Cats sign Tennessee All-American Hochevar
April 25, 2006 - American Association (AA)
Fort Worth Cats News Release
The Fort Worth Cats have signed former Tennessee All-American Luke Hochevar to a contract for the 2006 season.
Hochevar received the Roger Clemens Award as the nation's top college pitcher in 2005 after going 15-3 with a 2.26 ERA. The 15 wins tied him with TCU's Lance Broadway for most of any NCAA Division I pitcher.
He was a consensus first team All-America by Baseball America and the American Baseball Coaches Association and also received SEC Pitcher of the Year honors in 2005. He helped the team to a 46-21 record that year and a spot in the NCAA College World Series. He became the first Tennessee pitcher to be named SEC Pitcher of the Week twice in one season (Feb. 28 and March 21)
Hochevar was 4-2 with a 2.86 ERA in 11 games with the Vols in 2004, his sophomore season. Had an outstanding freshman season in 2003, trying for the team lead in wins and saves, appearing mostly out of the bullpen. That year, he was 6-5 with a 4.64 ERA and three saves in 21 outings.
In three seasons with Tennessee, Hochevar was 25-10 with a 3.05 ERA and 287 strikeouts in 280.1 innings pitched. His 25 victories ranks him second in school history behind R.A. Dickey's 38 wins and his 3.05 ERA is ninth-lowest in school history.
The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Hochevar in the 39th round in 2002 following his senior season at Fowler High School in Fowler, Colo., but he opted for college baseball instead. In high school, he was a three-time All-State selection. His junior season saw him go 7-0 with a 0.88 ERA with 96 strikeouts in 47.2 innings pitched.
He was drafted again by the Dodgers with their first pick (40th overall) in 2005, but has not signed with Los Angeles.
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