Scouting Report: Clay Buchholz, Boston Red Sox
Posted by Alan Hull on April 16th, 2008
Today, I will be scouting Baseball Mastermind’s #4 prospect, RHP Clay Buchholz of the Boston Red Sox.
Physical Profile:
Clay Buchholz, 23, RHP 6′3″ 190 lbs according to MLB.com. Buchholz is tall and lanky, with long limbs. Some have questioned his body’s ability to hold up under a heavy work-load, but his arm has held up well so far. The Red Sox shut down Buchholz at the end of the 2007 season, but that was more of a precautionary measure to keep his innings down. The Red Sox will be mindful of his innings again in 2008, health permitting, he will probably pitch around 160 innings this season.
It should also be noted that Clay Buchholz is an excellent athlete as he was formerly a shortstop and he fields his position very well. There is also a story that Buchholz beat fellow Red Sox top prospect Jacoby Ellsbury in a foot race in the minor leagues, although Buchholz qualifies that Ellsbury had a leg injury at the time.
Background:
Buchholz went 12-1 with a 1.05 ERA, striking out 129 in 85.2 IP for Angelina Junior College in Texas as a junior in 2005. He was drafted by the Red Sox in the 1st round (42nd overall) by the Red Sox in the 2005 amateur draft.
In Buchholz’s pro debut (2005) in low A, he pitched 41.1 innings with a 2.61 ERA striking out 45 and walking 9. In 2006, Buchholz split time between A ball and AA, Buchholz pitched 119 innings with a combined 2.42 ERA, striking out 140 and walking 33. Entering 2007, Buchholz, 22, was Baseball America’s #51 prospect. Buchholz split time between AA and the major leagues, finishing his time in the minors, pitching 125.1 innings with a 2.44 ERA striking out 171 and walking 35 with an 8-5 record.
Clay Buchholz got the call to the big leagues on August 17th, 2007 and finished with 22.2 innings with a 1.59 ERA, striking out and walking 10. Buchholz threw a no-hitter in his second big league start, earning the attention of the Red Sox Nation and all of baseball.
In 2008, Buchholz enters the season as Baseball America’s #4 prospect.
Scouting Report:
Delivery: Buchholz pitches with a nice, repeatable delivery where he turns his back away from the hitter about 45 degrees before pitching. He throws with an over the top arm slot and as a result, throws a straight, four-seam fastball as well as a two-seam that has some movement, but it also enables him to get the 12-6 action he does on his curveball. Pitching from the stretch, Buchholz sets with his hands at his mid-section. He mixes in a slide-step or uses a less-pronounced leg-kick with men on base. He has a pretty good pick-off move with quick feet.
Repertoire: Buchholz throws a fastball that sits 91-92 mph and can occasionally hit 94-95. He throws a two-seam fastball as well with some movement and sink. Buchholz’s best pitch is his plus-plus 12-6 curveball that sits 75-77 mph and has incredible tumbling action and can either be thrown high, breaking down into the strike zone freezing hitters or he can bury it in the dirt. Buchholz also throws an above average changeup that has dropping action. It is Buchholz’s ability to locate these three pitches that makes him as highly regarded as he is. He can throw any of those three for strikes and in most any count. He also throws a slider, but he uses it more as a show-me pitch and does a good job locating it as well.
Demeanor: Clay Buchholz is known for having very good makeup and as I mentioned, great athleticism for a pitcher. He competes on the mound and throws strikes. He attacks hitters with his fastball and has great confidence in his curve. Buchholz is the real deal.
2008 Prediction:
In 2008, Buchholz will have a strong season, which will be affected by his home ballpark in the surface. His control will be good, but not where it was in the minor leagues and he will scuffle at times.
160 IP - 4.10 ERA - 140 K - 60 BB - 20 HR
Clay Buchholz will then pitch 17 innings in the play-offs allowing 10 runs and winning only his first game against the Angels in the first round.
Sphere: Related Content
April 17th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
So is Buchholz pitching 17 innings in the same game against the Angels?
Because this is the year the Angels finally beat the Red Sox in the playoffs.
April 18th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Ha, nice Gil. I have them getting swept by the Sox. Now if they were playing the Yankees…