PHOENIX -- Luke Hochevar might eventually find the big league stardom that is expected of a player drafted No. 1 overall, but it's not going to be now.The Royals sent Hochevar to Triple-A Omaha Tuesday morning, leaving the starting rotation picture clearer, but still unsettled. It's going to be Zack Greinke, Gil Meche, Kyle Davies in the first three spots, with Sidney Ponson, Horacio Ramirez and Brian Bannister still in the mix for the others. Word around camp is that Bannister is going to be the odd man out (which seems like a pretty steep drop for a guy who not too long ago was pretty good).
Anyway, what's the deal with Hochevar?
According to manager Trey Hillman, he was sent to Omaha with some specific instructions about what he needs to work on.
"The biggest thing I need to see more consistency is with the stuff and the ability he has to utilize both sides the plate," Hillman said. "With the action on secondary pitches and the difference between his two-seam and four-seamer, if he uses the inside part of the plate, that opens up the plate for a higher rate of success. The other part for me is he's a tremendous competitor and there's a lot of aggression that goes with this, so I'd like to see him stay away from the big innings."
