The grandson of Minnesota Twins’ legend, Harmon Killebrew, made 18 appearances with one start in 2015 and recorded a 2.95 ERA.
(Courtesy of Fullerton Athletics)
If changing seats in the classroom would guarantee better grades, CSUF would have a packed honor roll. But trying to switch around positions on the baseball diamond could end a player’s dreams.
But not for Titan baseball standout pitcher Chad Hockin. Hockin, a few years removed from a momentous change of positions, now has the weight of Titan’s baseball on his shoulders.
Hockin, a junior communications major at CSUF, elevated from middle reliever to stopper this season with the hope that his hard work, strong right arm and array of pitches will help lead the Titans back to Omaha for the College World Series.
No stranger to high expectations, Hockin comes from baseball royalty. His grandfather was legendary Minnesota Twins player Harmon Killebrew.
Killebrew, known for his slugging prowess, led the American League in home runs six times.
Hockin received offers from other schools such as Long Beach State, Oregon, LSU, USC and UCLA, but declared Titan Baseball as the best fit.
“He’s gotten significantly better,” said John Knott, his head coach at Bonita High School. “They had hoped he would develop into a closer and he’s just totally blossomed.”
Hockin likes the aggressiveness of CSUF, calling the Titans’ style of play “down and dirty.”
As for the 2016 season, the Titans are ranked 25th in the country, according to the USA Today coaches poll.
“We’re a good group of guys and we’re close. As long as we hit and pitch nine innings, we’re going to be good,” Hockin said.
Not one to live solely on the mound, Hockin puts school first. He understands the importance of a college degree, having seen baseball from the other side of the lens.
“I know a lot of Twins, announcers, ex-players; they said if baseball doesn’t work out, then I can go into communications there and help them out at the stadium and stuff like that,” Hockin said. “That’s why I’m studying communications here. It’s a bit of a backup.”
When asked about the prospects of being drafted by the major leagues, Hockin again deferred to school first.
“Obviously school’s first, but whatever happens this year happens. But right now it’s just thinking about school and then this season,” Hockin said. “Being drafted by any team would be great.”
Knott sees the improvements Hockin has made throughout his young baseball career.
“(Hockin) did a little bit of everything,” Knott said. “He did kind of what we asked.”
Knott freely acknowledged Titan baseball in developing Hockin as a student-athlete.
“I think the coaches at Cal State Fullerton deserve a ton of credit for developing this kid,” Knott said. “Being able to pitch the way he has — increase his velocity, pitch in big-time games — says a lot about Chad, and really says a lot about the coaches instructing him and developing him.”
With accolades and expectations aside, Hockin talks freely about his day on campus, his class schedule, and the importance of academic advisers. And with the constant reminders of his enormous potential, it’s good to know a student-athlete has the same daily expectations as any CSUF student.