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MWL1 Burlington Bees

Hochevar arrives at the hive

August 14, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Burlington Bees News Release


Burlington, IA (August 14, 2006) The Kansas City Royals have assigned RHP Luke Hochevar to the Burlington Bees active roster. The Royals selected Hochevar with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 June Free Agent Draft. Hochevar will make his affiliated pro debut on Wednesday night in game three of the Bees current series against the South Bend Silver Hawks at Community Field.

Hochevar (pronounced HO-chay-vur) is the first number one overall pick in Royals history and the first number one overall pick from the primary draft to ever play for the Bees. George Hendrick was the number one overall pick in the January phase of the 1968 draft by the Oakland A's and played for the Bees in 1968 and again in 1970. Hochevar is the highest drafted player to play for the Bees since the Texas Rangers drafted shortstop Jeff Kunkel 3rd overall in 1983 and sent him to Burlington for his pro debut. Paul Molitor also made his pro debut in Burlington in 1977 after the Milwaukee Brewers selected him 3rd overall out of the University of Minnesota.

Hochevar, 22, was a consensus first-team All-America selection (Baseball America, Louisville, Slugger, Sports Weekly, NCBWA) at the University of Tennessee in 2005 and was the winner of the Roger Clemens National Pitcher of the Year and the SEC Pitcher of the Year Awards. He was also a finalist for the Golden Spikes and Brooks Wallace Awards. He posted a 15-3 record with a 2.26 ERA in 19 starts (139.2IP, 104H, 46R, 35ER, 54BB, 154K) and led the Volunteers to the College World Series his junior year. His 15 wins tied the school record and his 154 K's set a new record. In three years, he was 25-10 with a 3.05 ERA in 51 appearances for Tennessee. His 287 career strikeouts rank second in school history was named to the 2004 SEC Academic Honor Roll and the SEC Goodworks Team for his efforts in the community.

A Fowler, CO native, Hochevar was a sandwich pick between the first and second round (40th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2005 and was also drafted by the Dodgers out of high school in the 39th round in 2002. After choosing not to sign with the Dodgers, he made four starts with the Independent League Fort Worth Cats where he was 1-1 with a 2.38 ERA (22.2IP, 7R, 6ER, 11BB, 34K). Since the draft, he has been staying in shape by throwing simulated games at Tennessee.

Hochevar will be available to meet the media for the first time as a Burlington Bee after his start on Wednesday night. Any media member that would like to obtain a credential to attend Wednesday night;s game should contact Bees Asst. GM of Baseball Operations Randy Wehofer at (319) 754-5705 no later than 12:00 NOON on Wednesday.

After tonight's game, the Royals also announced that IF/OF Jeremy Jirschele has been promoted to the High Desert Mavericks in the California League. Jirschele will take the place of former Bee Wilver Perez who has gone on the disabled list with a separated shoulder. IF Eduardo Nunez will join the Bees from the Idaho Falls Chukars in the Pioneer League to fill Jirschele's roster spot. An updated roster is attached.

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