Clay Buchholz has been nearly perfect so far. After Monday's 113-pitch performance, he has given up only 9 hits in 14 innings, walked 6 and fanned 12 with a microscopic ERA of 0.64. Along with Jon Lester, he has given the top of the Sox rotation a huge boost. With John Lackey injured again and Ryan Dempster and Felix Doubront somewhat questionable, Buchhoz number 2 position is all the more important.
Bucky's career with the Sox can best be described as "in-and-out." It began in the golden year of 2007 when he no-hit the Orioles in his second major league start, walking 3 and fanning 9. He thus became only the third pitcher since 1900 to throw one in his first or second start and the first Boston rookie throw a no-no. He finished that year 3-1 with a 1.59 ERA, but did not pitch in the postseason.
As often happens when success comes very quickly, Buchholz slumped badly in 08. On May 15, he went on the DL with a torn fingernail. It was pretty much a lost season for the righthander from Texas. He pitched in Pawtucket for a time, but when he returned he failed to win a game. His final record was 2-9 with a whopping 6.75. Eventually he was sent to Double-A Portland, remarking "I've never had a streak like this."
Buchholz began 09 in Triple-A, but was recalled in July and recorded his first win in over a year against Toronto. As the Sox staff floundered in the second half, he got in the groove again, finishing 7-4 and 4.21 in 16 starts to help the Sox make it to the postseaon.
2010 appeared to be a breakout year for Buchholz. By the all-star break, he was 10-4 and an all-star selection, though he did not appear in the game. As the team battled injuries and missed the playoffs, he went 4-0 in August and was AL pitcher of the month. Bucky's 17-7 mark and 2.33 ERA gave him a high spot in the Sox rotation. The following spring, he signed a four-year contract extension worth $30 million.
For the next two years, however, Buchholz struggled with injuries. In June 2011, he went on the DL and eventually was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his back. He did not pitch again that year, and was missed as the Sox folded in September. In the nightmarish 2012 campaign, he continued to be erratic, though his 11-8 mark and 4.56 ERA placed him as the best of an admittedly poor rotation.
As he begins his seventh season with the team, Buchholz again seems poised to take his place among the top starters in the league. He is a quiet man on the mound and unlike Lester, seldom shows emotion and seems all-business.. He does not throw especially hard, but has a varitey of pitches and always has had good control.
Is Clay Buchholz finally ready for stardom? At age 28, this could be the time.
One correction from my last article. Bobby Witt was born in Arlington, Va. but graduated from Canton High School.
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