American Association player chosen first in MLB draft
June 6, 2006 - American Association (AA) News Release
DURHAM, NC - Fort Worth Cats RHP Luke Hochevar was chosen today as the top pick in the Major League Baseball Draft by the Kansas City Royals.
Hochevar, 23, was off to a fantastic start with the Fort Worth Cats. He had posted a record of 1-1 with an earned run average of 2.38 in 22 2/3 innings pitched. He had struck out 34 batters, which was good for third in the league, and opponents were only batting .244 against him.
In 2005 for the University of Tennessee Volunteers, Hochevar had a terrific record of 15-3 with an earned run average of 2.26 and struck out a record 154 batters. Those amazing numbers landed him Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year honors and the Roger Clemens Award which goes annually to the top pitcher in college baseball. In three years with the Tennessee, Hochevar accumulated a record of 25-10 with an earned run average of 3.05 and fanned 287 batters in 280 1/3 innings pitched.
Hochevar was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a supplemental pick (40th overall) between the first and second rounds in the 2005 draft. The Dodgers and Hochevar could not agree to terms and Hochevar signed with the American Association's Fort Worth Cats this May.
The American Association is a ten-team independent professional league with teams in the following cities: Coastal Bend Aviators (Robstown, TX.), El Paso (TX) Diablos, Fort Worth (TX) Cats, Lincoln (NE) Saltdogs, Pensacola (FL) Pelicans, St. Paul (MN) Saints, St. Joseph (MO) Blacksnakes, Shreveport (LA) Sports, Sioux City (IA) Explorers and Sioux Falls (SD) Canaries.
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