Roto Rush: Is Luke Hochevar Ready?

Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.

When Luke Hochevar was summoned to the majors last season, he had started only 13 games at the triple-A level. He had compiled a 2-4 record with a 4.54 ERA in those starts. Translation: It appears the former number one overall draft pick had been rushed -- especially when you consider his ensuing major league numbers. In his rookie year, Hochevar went 6-12 with a 5.51 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. His strikeout rate was well below his capabilities as well.

Now, after a dazzling start in triple-A -- which followed a serviceable spring training -- the Royals are hoping the 25-year-old Hochevar is ready this time around. Minor league numbers don't always necessarily translate, but it's hard to not get excited about his 5-0, 0.90 start, which fits nicely with a 0.95 WHIP and 30 strikeouts in 40 innings.

Standing 6-foot-5, Hochevar obviously has loads of natural ability, otherwise he wouldn't have been selected as the first overall pick of a draft which contained highly regarded Evan Longoria, Brandon Morrow, Andrew Miller, Clayton Kershaw and Tim Lincecum. Just because Hochevar had a bad start to his major league career doesn't mean he can't be ready this time around. If you disagree, look at the stat-line of Greg Maddux before 1988.

For now, let us be cautiously optimistic that Hochevar is about to join the above names -- and several others -- in making the 2006 draft class a wildly successful one. He toes the rubber against the Oakland A's tonight in his 2009 major league debut. He actually has a decent history against the team in a very small sample. The A's are also second-to-last in the majors in runs scored and Oakland is more a pitcher's park than hitter's. Personally, I like his chances for a solid outing.

Lineup Lock Time: All night games, kids. We won't see a pitch until 7:05 PM ET.

Bits From the Boxscores
*Talk about your bad luck. Johan Santana threw 6 1/3 innings without allowing an earned run, and he went home with the loss after two errors and some sub-par relief pitching. He now sports a ridiculous 0.78 ERA with 60 strikeouts in seven outings. And he's only 4-2. This is yet another examples in an endless line of examples which disprove the archaic notion that good pitchers win games. Johan can't control his defense or offense. Anyone who thinks otherwise is probably old. Just saying.

*Since his return, Brian McCann is hitting .375 with 4 runs and 4 RBI in as many games. He's also left the yard once and sports a 1.069 OPS in the same time period. It would appear he's seeing the ball just fine.

*In case you hadn't done so already, it's time to completely give up on Gavin Floyd in all leagues until further notice. He was shellacked for 11 hits and 8 earned runs in 5 innings Monday night, upping his dreadful ERA to 7.32. You simply can't continue to take these lumps. It's far too damaging to your team's rate stats.

*Since falling below the Mendoza line last week, Jhonny Peralta has gone 10-23 in his last five games. He's also driven home 5 runs in that time. He still can't stop striking out, though, as he's now punched out 36 times in only 27 games. With that many Ks, you'd like to see more power before jumping back on board, though, so let's still be a bit careful.

*Laynce Nix has been named the everyday left-fielder by Dusty Baker, and he's continuing to rake. Monday night against the Diamondbacks -- who we may start calling "the hapless Diamondbacks" if things continue on this path -- he hit his second home run of the season and upped his average to .327. Take a look in deep NL-Only leagues while he's hot.

*Memo to the Reds: If Willy Taveras goes 5-5, how the hell does he only steal one base? There are fantasy teams to consider here.

*Felipe Lopez is still chugging along, currently sitting with a .323 average and .879 OPS. He has 4 home runs and 3 steals. You could do much worse at second base, as he appears to be having another solid season (hey, he had one in 2005!).

*Man, it's a shame the Nationals don't have much pitching. They suffer the loss after pounding out 15 hits and 7 runs. Adam Dunn and Ryan Zimmerman are obvious starts in every league, but Cristian Guzman and Elijah Dukes are proving their worth as must-starts as well. Take a look at Nick Johnson in deeper leagues, too.

*What Randy Johnson gave Monday night is probably his ceiling anymore. He struck out 9 and walked no one, but he allowed 8 hits and 4 earned runs in only 5 innings. If you need Ks, he's your man. If you need rate stats, he's not.

The Afflicted: Jesus Flores (the Nationals' catcher) sat out Monday with a shoulder issue. He's day-to-day. Dustin Pedroia will likely miss Tuesday night's game, but has a chance to return Wednesday. Alex Gonzalez (Reds' shortstop) is still ont he shelf, but he's not a great option in fantasy anyway. Stephen Drew is working through a rehab assignment and could possibly return to the Diamondbacks lineup Wednesday. Carlos Delgado missing more action with his bum hip is not a good sign.

Wednesday's Ace in the Hole: Shairon Martis is 4-0 this season, but he's had some amount of luck, considering the 4.67 ERA. He should have some again, as he heads to San Francisco to face the worst offense in the league (in terms of runs scored through Monday, even after torching the Nats for 11). None of the current Giants have ever faced Martis at the major league level. Generally speaking, that's advantageous for the pitcher.