Tommy Hottovy
| IP | 13 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.154 |
| WHIP | 1.769 |
| BB/9 | 5.538 |
| SO/9 | 5.538 |
- Full name Thomas Lee Hottovy
- Born 07/09/1981 in Kansas City, MO
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Wichita State
- Debut 06/03/2011
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Drafted in the 4th round (125th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2004 (signed for $110,000).
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Hottovy can't match the stuff of sidelined teammates Steve Uhlmansiek and Mat Jakubov, but he could sneak into the top five rounds as a senior sign. His 71-9 strikeout-walk ratio ranked seventh in NCAA Division I in mid-May, and he was among the leaders in ERA (2.21) and strikeouts per nine innings (11.2). His curveball, command and makeup are his strong suits. Hottovy's fastball registers only 85-88 mph, but it has nice run and his good changeup makes it seem quicker.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Though Dustin Pedroia finished last year two levels ahead of him and may begin this year in Double-A, Hottovy still could beat him as Boston's first 2004 draftee to reach the majors. The Red Sox have taken a more performance-oriented and college approach to the last two drafts, and Hottovy's 92-10 strikeout-walk ratio (fifth-best in NCAA Division I) last spring appealed to them. A fourth-round senior sign who landed a $110,000 bonus, he showed the same exceptional command in his pro debut. Several teams projected him as a reliever, but Boston believes Hottovy has enough stuff and savvy to start. His best pitch is his plus curveball. His 86-89 mph fastball won't scare anyone, but he keeps it down and locates it with precision. His athleticism--Hottovy had scholarship offers as a quarterback coming out of high school--allows him to repeat his delivery with ease. His changeup gives him a third effective pitch. Because he signed as a college senior, Hottovy already is 23. He has a chance to open 2005 in Double-A, but most likely he won't get there until the second half of the season.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Hottovy should challenge Vargas in the race to be the first player in this NY-P crop to reach the majors. He was one of several polished college lefties on the Lowell staff, joining Randy Beam, Andrew Dobies and R.J. Swindle. The Red Sox kept Hottovy on a strict pitch count, limiting him to 30 innings in 14 starts, but that was enough to showcase his outstanding command. He's not overpowering with his mid-80s fastball, but he's very deceptive and has a plus curveball. He projects as a reliever, a role that will expedite his arrival in Boston. "He'll pitch in the big leagues probably by next year," Lowell manager Luis Alicea said. "He's that good. He's smart, has good mechanics and has a lot of things going for him."
