The Next Morning

After Buchholz dazzled Fisher Cat hitters last night and received a standing ovation, Fisher Cats manager Bill Masse had this to say in the Union Leader this morning: ""I think it's sad," Masse said. "We're not playing the Boston Red Sox. We're playing the Portland Sea Dogs. Unless you're from that area, you root for your hometown team. This is New Hampshire's team, Manchester's team and to see Clay Buchholz get a standing ovation was absolutely disgraceful." After the game Clay had this to say: "I didn't expect it, but it was nice."

Buchholz vs. Fisher Cats 6/25

Dominant. Pretty much describes Buchholz's outing tonight. 6.1 IP, 4 hits, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 K. On the year now hes pitched 80.1 IP, 53 hits, 19 BB, 111 K, 1.69 ERA for AA Portland. That comes out to 5.84 K/BB(!) and 12.44 K/9(!). He had all his pitches working for him tonight, touching 96 MPH on his fastball even late in the game and consistently hitting 94 MPH (gun may have been a tad fast, but always good to see velocity like that late in games). His curve ball froze hitters on multiple occasions and he mixed in a very good changeup and slider. The lone ER came after Clay gave up a 1 out single and MR Hunter Jones making his AA debut gave up an in-the-park-home run. He's definetly in line for a promotion to AAA Pawtucket in the near future, stay tuned.

Introduction to the blog

Here to talk about Red Sox #1 prospect Clay Buchholz. Clay was drafted with the 42nd pick in the 2006 MLB First Year Player Draft. Since then he's skyrocketed up the prospect ranks in Boston and in major league baseball. Armed with a Mid-90's fastball, a plus curve ball (plus-plus according to GM Theo Epstein), a plus change-up, and a good slider, Buchholz has the makeup to be a potential major-league ace.