He played three seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 1901 to 1903, for the Brooklyn Superbas and Cleveland Broncos/Naps.

[1][citation needed] Gochnaur began his professional baseball career with the Portsmouth Browns in 1896 as a second baseman.

He put up similar numbers for the Dayton Old Soldiers in 1901, including a career-high 14 triples, before being acquired by the Brooklyn Superbas toward the end of the season.

In three games for the Superbas at the end of the 1901 season, Gochnaur collected four hits and a walk in twelve plate appearances.

[1][citation needed] He also holds the single season record for RBIs by a player with a career average under .200 (48, 1903).