Biographical

Clay Buchholz PBlue Jays

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2019 Projections (Preseason PECOTA - seasonal age 34)

IP	ERA	WHIP	SO	W	L	SV	WARP
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Birth Date	8-14-1984
Height	6' 3"
Weight	190 lbs

Age	39 years, 8 months, 11 days
Bats	L
Throws	R

: 2.02015
: 0.02016
: -0.12017
: 1.82018
: 0.32019
proj

WARP Summary

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MLB Statistics

Historical (past-seasons) WARP is now based on DRA..
cFIP and DRA are not available on a by-team basis and display as zeroes(0). See TOT line for season totals of these stats.
Multiple stints are are currently shown —Click to hide.

YEAR	Team	Lg	G	GS	IP	W	L	H	BB	SO	HR	PPF	H/9	BB/9	HR/9	K/9	GB%	BABIP	WHIP	FIP	ERA	cFIP	DRA	DRA-	WARP
2007	BOS	MLB	4	3	22.7	3	1	14	10	22	0	101	5.6	4.0	0.0	8.7	0%	.255	1.06	2.81	1.59	93	3.77	78.1	0.5
2008	BOS	MLB	16	15	76.0	2	9	93	41	72	11	105	11.0	4.9	1.3	8.5	0%	.355	1.76	4.84	6.75	95	4.87	103.8	0.6
2009	BOS	MLB	16	16	92.0	7	4	91	36	68	13	113	8.9	3.5	1.3	6.7	0%	.279	1.38	4.73	4.21	100	4.62	99.1	1.0
2010	BOS	MLB	28	28	173.7	17	7	142	67	120	9	113	7.4	3.5	0.5	6.2	0%	.261	1.20	3.58	2.33	98	3.90	88.1	2.7
2011	BOS	MLB	14	14	82.7	6	3	76	31	60	10	109	8.3	3.4	1.1	6.5	0%	.264	1.29	4.37	3.48	108	4.29	99.8	0.7
2012	BOS	MLB	29	29	189.3	11	8	187	64	129	25	104	8.9	3.0	1.2	6.1	0%	.283	1.33	4.60	4.56	107	5.27	120.8	-0.2
2013	BOS	MLB	16	16	108.3	12	1	75	36	96	4	103	6.2	3.0	0.3	8.0	0%	.255	1.02	2.80	1.74	84	2.87	68.7	2.7
2014	BOS	MLB	28	28	170.3	8	11	182	54	132	17	102	9.6	2.9	0.9	7.0	0%	.315	1.39	4.03	5.34	101	4.40	107.8	0.9
2015	BOS	MLB	18	18	113.3	7	7	114	23	107	6	114	9.1	1.8	0.5	8.5	0%	.329	1.21	2.64	3.26	92	3.61	84.3	2.0
2016	BOS	MLB	37	21	139.3	8	10	130	55	93	21	116	8.4	3.6	1.4	6.0	43%	.263	1.33	5.02	4.78	114	5.29	117.1	0.0
2017	PHI	MLB	2	2	7.3	0	1	16	3	5	1	98	19.6	3.7	1.2	6.1	31%	.484	2.59	4.81	12.27	123	6.77	144.1	-0.1
2018	ARI	MLB	16	16	98.3	7	2	80	22	81	9	98	7.3	2.0	0.8	7.4	43%	.256	1.04	3.42	2.01	93	3.74	83.5	1.8
2019	TOR	MLB	12	12	59.0	2	5	72	16	39	13	99	11.0	2.4	2.0	5.9	46%	.321	1.49	5.65	6.56	122	8.00	164.1	-1.4
Career		MLB	236	218	1332.3	90	69	1272	458	1024	139	107	8.6	3.1	0.9	6.9	48%	.284	1.30	4.06	3.98	101	4.51	102.0	11.2

Statistics for All Levels

'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
Minor league stats are currently shown —Click to hide.

YEAR	Team	Lg	LG	G	GS	IP	W	L	H	BB	SO	HR	PPF	H/9	BB/9	HR/9	K/9	GB%	BABIP	WHIP	FIP	ERA	cFIP	DRA	DRA-
2005	LOW	A-	NYP	15	15	41.3	0	1	34	9	45	2	70	7.4	2.0	0.4	9.8	0%	-.561	1.04	2.59	2.62	72	2.57	50.6
2006	GRN	A	SAL	21	21	103.0	9	4	78	29	117	10		6.8	2.5	0.9	10.2	0%	.272	1.04	3.28	2.62	0	0.00	0.0
2006	WIL	A+	CRL	3	3	16.1	2	0	10	4	23	0	75	5.6	2.2	0.0	12.9	0%	.294	0.87	1.05	1.12	41	2.19	46.0
2007	BOS	MLB	AL	4	3	22.7	3	1	14	10	22	0	101	5.6	4.0	0.0	8.7	0%	.255	1.06	2.81	1.59	93	3.77	78.1
2007	PME	AA	EAS	16	15	86.7	7	2	55	22	116	4	103	5.7	2.3	0.4	12.0	0%	.271	0.89	2.01	1.76	54	2.22	45.5
2007	PAW	AAA	INT	8	8	38.7	1	3	32	13	55	5	92	7.4	3.0	1.2	12.8	0%	.300	1.16	3.09	3.95	73	3.25	66.6
2008	BOS	MLB	AL	16	15	76.0	2	9	93	41	72	11	105	11.0	4.9	1.3	8.5	0%	.355	1.76	4.84	6.75	95	4.87	103.8
2008	PME	AA	EAS	2	2	15.0	1	0	7	1	18	0	96	4.2	0.6	0.0	10.8	0%	.206	0.53	1.02	1.80	53	1.85	38.0
2008	PAW	AAA	INT	9	9	43.7	4	2	36	17	43	3	90	7.4	3.5	0.6	8.9	0%	.295	1.21	3.54	2.47	87	3.21	65.7
2008	SUR	Wnt	AFL	5	5	21.0	1	2	18	9	17	1		7.7	3.9	0.4	7.3	0%	.288	1.29	4.94	3.86	0	0.00	0.0
2009	BOS	MLB	AL	16	16	92.0	7	4	91	36	68	13	113	8.9	3.5	1.3	6.7	0%	.279	1.38	4.73	4.21	100	4.62	99.1
2009	PAW	AAA	INT	17	16	99.0	7	2	67	30	89	7	104	6.1	2.7	0.6	8.1	0%	.230	0.98	3.18	2.36	86	2.33	49.0
2010	BOS	MLB	AL	28	28	173.7	17	7	142	67	120	9	113	7.4	3.5	0.5	6.2	0%	.261	1.20	3.58	2.33	98	3.90	88.1
2010	PAW	AAA	INT	1	1	3.7	0	0	4	1	2	1	107	9.7	2.4	2.4	4.9	0%	.273	1.35	7.34	4.86	0	0.00	0.0
2011	BOS	MLB	AL	14	14	82.7	6	3	76	31	60	10	109	8.3	3.4	1.1	6.5	0%	.264	1.29	4.37	3.48	108	4.29	99.8
2012	BOS	MLB	AL	29	29	189.3	11	8	187	64	129	25	104	8.9	3.0	1.2	6.1	0%	.283	1.33	4.60	4.56	107	5.27	120.8
2012	PAW	AAA	INT	1	1	2.3	0	0	1	2	3	0	93	3.9	7.7	0.0	11.6	0%	.200	1.29	3.15	0.00	97	4.06	84.6
2013	BOS	MLB	AL	16	16	108.3	12	1	75	36	96	4	103	6.2	3.0	0.3	8.0	0%	.255	1.02	2.80	1.74	84	2.87	68.7
2013	LOW	A-	NYP	1	1	0.7	0	0	1	3	1	0	101	13.5	40.5	0.0	13.5	0%	.333	6.00	13.59	13.50	130	5.80	126.1
2013	PAW	AAA	INT	1	1	3.3	0	0	7	0	2	0	99	18.9	0.0	0.0	5.4	0%	.500	2.10	2.00	2.70	92	6.80	147.7
2014	BOS	MLB	AL	28	28	170.3	8	11	182	54	132	17	102	9.6	2.9	0.9	7.0	0%	.315	1.39	4.03	5.34	101	4.40	107.8
2014	PAW	AAA	INT	2	2	10.7	0	1	6	2	10	2	100	5.1	1.7	1.7	8.4	0%	.167	0.75	4.75	2.53	97	2.80	59.3
2015	BOS	MLB	AL	18	18	113.3	7	7	114	23	107	6	114	9.1	1.8	0.5	8.5	0%	.329	1.21	2.64	3.26	92	3.61	84.3
2016	BOS	MLB	AL	37	21	139.3	8	10	130	55	93	21	116	8.4	3.6	1.4	6.0	43%	.263	1.33	5.02	4.78	114	5.29	117.1
2017	PHI	MLB	NL	2	2	7.3	0	1	16	3	5	1	98	19.6	3.7	1.2	6.1	31%	.484	2.59	4.81	12.27	123	6.77	144.1
2018	ARI	MLB	NL	16	16	98.3	7	2	80	22	81	9	98	7.3	2.0	0.8	7.4	43%	.256	1.04	3.42	2.01	93	3.74	83.5
2018	VIS	A+	CAL	1	1	6.0	1	0	4	1	6	1	96	6.0	1.5	1.5	9.0	47%	.214	0.83	4.41	3.00	96	3.35	70.8
2018	NWA	AA	TEX	1	1	4.7	0	0	1	2	5	0	93	1.9	3.9	0.0	9.6	40%	.100	0.64	2.59	0.00	84	2.40	50.8
2018	OMA	AAA	PCL	2	2	11.3	1	0	9	5	4	2	108	7.1	4.0	1.6	3.2	55%	.194	1.24	6.65	1.59	115	5.07	107.2
2018	RNO	AAA	PCL	2	2	11.7	0	1	12	5	10	0	123	9.3	3.9	0.0	7.7	41%	.324	1.46	3.31	5.40	115	4.73	100.0
2019	TOR	MLB	AL	12	12	59.0	2	5	72	16	39	13	99	11.0	2.4	2.0	5.9	46%	.321	1.49	5.65	6.56	122	8.00	164.1
2019	DUN	A+	FSL	1	1	4.0	0	0	4	0	7	0	119	9.0	0.0	0.0	15.8	44%	.444	1.00	-0.19	2.25	51	2.70	55.5
2019	BUF	AAA	INT	1	1	5.0	0	1	4	0	5	4	96	7.2	0.0	7.2	9.0	40%	.000	0.80	12.02	5.40	123	3.57	73.6
2019	BLJ	Rk	GCL	2	2	5.0	0	0	5	0	4	1	89	9.0	0.0	1.8	7.2	60%	.286	1.00	4.50	3.60	81	1.53	31.4

Plate Discipline

YEAR	Pits	Zone%	Swing%	Contact%	Z-Swing%	O-Swing%	Z-Contact%	O-Contact%	SwStr%
2008	1353	0.5033	0.4191	0.7566	0.5698	0.2664	0.8247	0.6089	0.2434
2009	1508	0.5053	0.4450	0.7571	0.6063	0.2802	0.8160	0.6268	0.2429
2010	2797	0.4909	0.4541	0.7827	0.6329	0.2816	0.8389	0.6608	0.2173
2011	1346	0.4621	0.4383	0.7898	0.6206	0.2818	0.8472	0.6814	0.2102
2012	2795	0.4805	0.4576	0.8053	0.6210	0.3065	0.8849	0.6562	0.1947
2013	1628	0.4558	0.4287	0.7636	0.5606	0.3183	0.8486	0.6383	0.2364
2014	2727	0.4884	0.4455	0.7926	0.6156	0.2832	0.8610	0.6506	0.2074
2015	1713	0.5260	0.4915	0.7672	0.6393	0.3276	0.8611	0.5639	0.2328
2016	2218	0.4851	0.4500	0.7776	0.6255	0.2846	0.8618	0.6031	0.2224
2017	138	0.5145	0.4928	0.8676	0.6479	0.3284	0.8696	0.8636	0.1324
2018	1419	0.5166	0.4820	0.7822	0.6439	0.3090	0.8453	0.6415	0.2178
2019	882	0.4887	0.4751	0.7995	0.6404	0.3171	0.8587	0.6853	0.2005
Career	20524	0.4905	0.4532	0.7819	0.6172	0.2949	0.8526	0.6392	0.2181

Injury History — No longer being updated

Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET

Date On	Date Off	Transaction	Days	Games	Side	Body Part	Injury	Severity	Surgery Date	Reaggravation
2014-09-30	2014-09-30	Off	0	0	Right	Knee	Surgery	Meniscus	2014-09-30
2014-05-27	2014-06-25	15-DL	29	28	Left	Knee	Hyperextension		-
2013-06-09	2013-09-10	60-DL	93	82	Right	Shoulder	Bursitis		-	-
2013-05-23	2013-06-02	DTD	10	10	Right	Shoulder	Inflammation	AC Joint	-	-
2013-02-12	2013-02-18	Camp	6	0	Right	Thigh	Strain	Hamstring	-	-
2012-06-20	2012-07-14	15-DL	24	20	-	General Medical	Illness	Esophagitis	-	-
2011-06-17	2011-09-28	60-DL	103	93		Low Back	Stress Fracture		-
2011-06-04	2011-06-10	DTD	6	5	-	Low Back	Soreness		-	-
2011-06-03	2011-06-03	DTD	0	0		Low Back	Stiffness		-
2011-05-31	2011-05-31	DTD	0	0	Left		Blister	Big Toe	-
2011-05-29	2011-05-29	DTD	0	0		Low Back	Stiffness		-
2011-04-28	2011-05-03	DTD	5	5		General Medical	Respiratory	Flu	-
2010-09-28	2010-10-04	DTD	6	6		Low Back	Stiffness		-
2010-06-27	2010-07-21	15-DL	24	18	Left	Thigh	Strain	Hamstring	-
2010-05-03	2010-05-03	DTD	0	0	Left	Foot	Contusion	Batted Ball	-
2009-04-13	2009-04-22	Minors	9	0	Left	Thigh	Strain	Hamstring	-
2008-05-13	2008-05-31	15-DL	18	16	Right	Fingers	Tear	Middle Fingernail	-
2006-04-21	2006-05-09	Minors	18	0			Not Disclosed		-

Compensation

Year	Team	Salary
2019	TOR	$3,000,000
2018	ARI	$
2017	PHI	$13,500,000
2016	BOS	$13,000,000
2015	BOS	$12,250,000
2014	BOS	$7,950,000
2013	BOS	$5,750,000
2012	BOS	$3,750,000
2011	BOS	$555,000
2010	BOS	$443,000
2008	BOS	$396,000

Years	Description	Salary
10 yr	Previous	$60,594,000
10 yr	Total	$60,594,000

Service Time	Agent	Contract Status
11 y 21 d	ISE Baseball	1 year/$3M (2019)

Details

1 year (2019). Signed by Toronto as a free agent 3/2/19. Salary of $3M in 2019. May earn additional $3M in performance bonuses.
1 year (2018). Signed by Kansas City as a free agent 3/19/18 (minor-league contract). Salary of $1.5M in majors. May opt out of contract 5/1/18 if not on Major League roster. Released by Kansas City 5/1/18. Signed by Arizona as a free agent 5/5/18 (minor-league contract). Salary of $1.6M in majors. Contract selected by Arizona 5/20/18.
4 years/$29.945M (2012-15), plus 2016-17 club options. Signed extension with Boston 4/11/11. $1M signing bonus. 12:$3.5M, 13:$5.5M, 14:$7.7M, 15:$12M, 16:$13M club option, $0.245M buyout. 17:$13.5M club option, $0.5M buyout. Award bonuses, including $50,000 for All-Star selection. Boston exercised 2016 option 11/3/15. Boston exercised 2017 option 11/3/16. Acquired by Philadelphia in trade from Boston 12/20/16.
1 year/$0.555M (2011). Re-signed by Boston 3/8/11.
1 year/$0.443M (2010). Recalled 3/8/10.
1 year/$0.4135M (2009). Re-signed 3/10/09. Optioned to Triple-A 4/4/09. Recalled 7/17/09. Optioned to Triple-A 7/18/09. Recalled 7/21/09.
1 year/$0.396M (2008). Optioned to Double-A 8/20/08.
1 year (2007). Optioned to Triple-A 5/31/08. Recalled 7/11/08. Contract purchased 8/17/07. Recalled 9/1/07.
Drafted 2005 (1s-42) (Angelina JC, Texas). $0.8M signing bonus.

2019 Preseason Forecast

Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET

PCT	W	L	SV	G	GS	IP	H	BB	SO	HR	BABIP	WHIP	ERA	DRA	VORP	WARP
Weighted Mean	?	?	?	?	?	0.0	?	0	0	?	.000	0.00	0.00	?	0.0	0.0

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BP Annual Player Comments

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BP Articles

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BP Chats

Date	Question	Answer
2018-09-10 14:00:00 (link to chat)	Is Clay Buchholz a 1st round pick for 2019? Don't say no. (Tom Pringle from UK)	If you're in a league where you can't pick up a player who wasn't on a 40-man roster to start the year, I could buy it. Can't wait to draft with you next season. (Darius Austin)
2016-02-03 20:00:00 (link to chat)	In a Score Sheet keeper league, who's the better keeper, Matt Moore or Clay Buchholz? (GoTribe06 from Lynchburg)	Good question and I wish I knew the answer. This will be my first year playing Scoresheet. I'm not a big fan of either, even though I live in Durham and have seen several amazing performances from Moore. I still question his command and consistency. I like Buchholz, assuming he's healthy enough to get to 150 innings or so. (Greg Wellemeyer)
2016-01-14 20:00:00 (link to chat)	Keeper league, last two spots: Matt Moore, Clay Buchholz, Trevor Bauer, or Nate Eovaldi (GoTribe06 from Lynchburg)	Bauer and Eovaldi although they're all pretty close. (Mike Gianella)
2015-06-16 20:00:00 (link to chat)	If the Red Sox were characters on Game of Thrones, who would they be? thanks (Bill from Los Angeles)	This is super played out ... ... and as such, right in my wheelhouse. Xander Bogaerts: Jon Snow Mookie Betts: Danaerys Targaryen Ben Cherington: Ned (tried to do the right thing, will probably lose head) Wade Miley: Catelyn (doesn't do much but yell) Rick Porcello: Robb Stark (handsome, ineffective) Clay Buchholz: Sansa (WHAT EVEN ARE YOU?) Eduardo Rodriguez: Arya (so much potential) Brock Holt: Bran (takes a lot of forms) Joe Kelly: Rickon (why do you exist?) Mike Napoli: Hodor (...yep) Christian Vazquez: Benjen Stark (plz come back) John Henry: Tywin (still calling the shots) Dustin Pedroia: Tyrion (most watchable/resourceful) Larry Lucchino: Cersei (...) David Ortiz: Jaime (lost a step but still badass) Blake Swihart: Tommen (keep trying, little guy) John Farrell: Stannis (stern but no one seems to listen) Melisandre: Pablo Sandoval (is your power real or what) Our Hopes/Dreams: Shireen Hanley Ramirez: The Hound (unlikeable but powerful) Koji Uehara: Brienne (still rooting for ya) Daniel Nava: Pod (you too!) Junichi Tawawa: Bronn (just gets stuff done) Allen Craig: Janos Slynt (just doesn't) Shane Victorino: Jorah (always hurt) Jackie Bradley: Theon (has he not suffered enough?) Justin Masterson: Beric Dondarrion (should not have been revived) Craig Breslow: Doran (smart, ineffective) Alejandro De Aza: sandsnake 1 Alexi Ogando: sandsnake 2 Tommy Layne: sandsnake 3 The Yankees: Roose Bolton The Rays: Ramsay Bolton The Blue Jays: The Night's King The Orioles: Mance Rayder And two for the book readers ... Yoan Moncada: Young Griff Rusney Castillo: Patchface (Ben Carsley)
2015-05-05 15:00:00 (link to chat)	Clay Buchholz... Peripherals look great, whiffs are up, but he's getting pounded. Is he a buy low? (flashtheleather from shift)	I suppose he's a buy low if it's really low and you have a spot on your bench until he gets it together. (Nick Shlain)
2015-04-06 15:15:00 (link to chat)	Best Sea Dog of all time? Marc Deschenes or Ryan Cameron? (Cykid10 from McKinney, TX)	I have no answer for this question. And Ryan Howard breaks up Clay Buchholz's no-hitter in the fourth inning. Can you even have a no-hitter in the fourth inning? I think you have to get through six innings before we can start barking about a no-hitter in progress to people not actively watching the game. I propose this as a new rule! Let's run this through the process, submit the paperwork and see what happens! (Matthew Kory)
2015-04-07 14:00:00 (link to chat)	I can't help it: Pedroia's going to hit for power and Buchholz has figured it all right again, right? (William from New York)	Nope, not buying either. I'm more likely to buy Pedroia's power returning to 2012 levels, but Buchholz has tricked me too many times. Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, shame on you. Fool me thrice? Shame on Clay Buchholz. (Doug Thorburn)
2014-08-15 14:00:00 (link to chat)	Who are the 5 pitchers in the Red Sox rotation to start 2015? (Shawnykid23 from CT)	I'm honestly quite curious about this myself! I think they'll get some frontline starter, whether it's re-signing Lester, adding Shields, or trading for Hamels (which makes less sense, but whatever) or Cueto or someone else. I think these next few months will help figure out where the Ranaudo/Webster/De La Rosa/Workman pieces fit, and then there's Joe Kelly and Clay Buchholz. There's five in there somewhere, but I wouldn't be shocked if one or more of the prospect/young pitcher group is traded and same for Buchholz. Big changes coming, I think. (Matthew Kory)
2013-05-29 18:30:00 (link to chat)	Pure talent wise, is Alex Gordon for Clay Buchholz a fair deal? He wants a bat, I need a SP. (jeremydneezy from Brooklyn, NY)	Hi Jeremy: I'd take Buchholz before the other owner blinks. Buchholz is putting up a Cy Young-caliber season and there's nothing in his numbers to indicate that he's going to slow down. Gordon is very good but from a fantasy perspective doesn't do any one thing spectacularly and is a solid player but not a star. Take the ace and run with it. (Mike Gianella)
2013-05-02 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Is there anything sadder than a Ike Davis owner, or do we deserve this? Also, someone offered me Clay Buchholz and Mark Reynolds for him in a league where KK:BB replaces strikeouts and there are no wins...is this a fair value? (Woe is Ike Davis from DC)	I'm not a fantasy guy, so I'm probably not the best guy to answer this question, but that sounds like a fantastic deal. Reynolds and Davis had similar production last season, and you get Buchholz on top of it. (Jason Cole)
2013-02-15 12:00:00 (link to chat)	Looking for some late round starting pitching. Could you list 3-5 pitchers which fall outside the top 75 who could make the biggest jump this year. (The Piranha from Arlington, VA)	Repeating Erasmo Ramirez, Hyun Kin Ryu, Clay Buchholz, Jason Hammel, and Alex Cobb. All 5 are out of the top 75 in the PFM right now (Jason Collette)
2012-05-25 14:00:00 (link to chat)	Can you elaborate on some of the comments you made to me and others at the BP Oakland A's game about obvious flaws in Clay Buchholz' delivery? Would it be a big mistake for Clay to continue failing to fool batters with his super high release point? Wouldn't he generate oodles more "deception" by keeping his upper body more upright and keeping the ball hidden as much as possible before release by throwing from his shoulder or head level instead of from as high as he can reach? (David Floren from Livermore, CA)	I will be covering Buchholz next week in a multi-player article, but I don't mind throwing out a few teasers ... I agree that that a postural adjustment would do wonders, improving pitch command (once he harnessed the delivery) as well as release-depth, in addition to limiting injury risk. My gut feel is that Clay has long been over-rated, and that his killer curve ball has thrown off the expectations. This is a guy with a career k:BB of 1.74. (Doug Thorburn)
2011-04-07 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Jay: Understanding we are still in SSS(small sample size) territory, has anything in the first week of play: (a) produced evidence of a surprising new career development; or (b) confirmed a suspicion of decline? or (c) indicated the possibility of a real change in career path? in any of your most-watched players? In other words, what should I watch for in the April-June period? Thanks for the chat. (BeplerP from NYC)	I think we have to be incredibly wary of making bold pronunciations about one week of play, particularly one week of play in cold weather, because a lot of players may be struggling with the elements. The danger is that our suspicions of decline can easily become confirmation biases - see, Clay Buchholz is regressing! John Lackey doesn't have it anymore! The Rays can't win the AL East without Carl Crawford! The Orioles are for real! All of those things may turn out to be true, but if we pretend to really know them now, we're just pumping hot air. What I look for in the first two months is whether rookies get the hang of things, and how managers deal with their bullpens and the moving parts in their lineup - are they platooning? How are they getting around the holes in their roster? Where might they be looking to upgrade this summer in order to make a run? (Jay Jaffe)
2010-09-21 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Buchholz or Hughes in 2011?- Hughes fly ball rate scares me. (mafrth77 from Boston)	I prefer Clay Buchholz, and that's taking into account he's been enormously lucky in 2010 to have the defense he does behind him. I just think he's a better pitcher than Hughes, though they get to where they are differently. (Marc Normandin)
2010-07-09 13:00:00 (link to chat)	If your infield is dramatically improved, you are a groundball pitcher, and you have a low BABIP don't those factors sort balance out and not scream regression? See Clay Buchholz. (Howie Mandel from Holding a metal case)	Yes and no. Buchholz is well past the point of this being due to his infield--I don't expect to fall all the way back to his SIERA, but I also don't expect him to keep his ERA where it is. (Marc Normandin)
2010-06-02 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Thoughts on Clay Buchholz? can he keep up performing like a #1 starter? Other than his GB/FB rate his peripherals aren't great. (mafrth77 from Boston)	He's not ready to be a #1 yet. He might get there someday, but he hasn't got it now. I think you're right to favor the peripherals. (Tommy Bennett)
2010-03-30 13:00:00 (link to chat)	You should feel bad for us...4 inches of rain over the past two days. In what direction does Clay Buchholz's career go this year? (Stu from NJ)	It was El Nino in the city today, so I'm feeling that too. I think he's got a decent shot at a break out year. With a gun to my head, I'll say he beats most of his projections. (Shawn Hoffman)
2010-02-17 16:00:00 (link to chat)	Fantasy Keeper question: Which six do you like the best for this coming year? Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Troy Tulowitzki, Nelson Cruz, Felix Hernandez, Yovanni Gallardo, Clayton Kershaw, Tommy Hanson, and Clay Buchholz. Right now, I would say Howard, Utley, Tulo, Felix, Hanson, and Gallardo. But I am having a tough time deciding and was wondering if you could throw in your two cents. Have a great day Tommy !! (Lopecci from Cubicle City)	Assuming traditional 5x5, I'd say Howard, Utley, Tulo, Felix, Cruz, Kershaw. But at the end there it's pretty close. Oh, and you too! (Tommy Bennett)
2010-02-05 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Hi Marc, do you have a strong gut feeling about any of these guys?: Buchholz, Brett Anderson, Dice-K, Scott Baker, Matusz, Wade Davis, Ricky Romero, Justin Masterson, Homer Bailey. Let's assume Tommy Hanson was gone several rounds ago. Please help or my entire pitching staff will be sleepers! (robertcfox from DC)	Brett Anderson and Clay Buchholz would be the two I suggest to you. Buchholz showed some positive growth in 2009 that I'm excited to see in 2010, and Brett Anderson is a future beast. (Marc Normandin)
2010-02-09 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Jay - I know you don't write the headlines, so I'm purely asking for your opinion here. Two years ago one of the pictures on the cover of BP '08 was of Clay Buchholz, with the caption reading "Better Than Joba". My question: was it true then, and is it true now? Thanks for the chat. (mattymatty2000 from Philly, PA)	It's pretty subjective any way you slice it. Both pitchers have had flashes of brilliance in the majors, and both have taken their lumps to the point where a lot of people wondered if they'd be better off traded. Joba's got a clear edge in terms of the big league numbers he's put up overall (3.61 in ~280 innings vs. 4.91 ERA in ~180 innings), but Buchholz is riding the stronger trend in terms of making the necessary adjustments to survive in the majors. FWIW, PECOTA sees both at coming in with ERAs around 3.80 this year. Nearing the finish line, i'll take 3 more... (Jay Jaffe)
2010-01-26 14:00:00 (link to chat)	What's your best guess on current #3 or #4 starters who could break out and become a #2 in 2010? (stewbies from Rochester)	Clay Buchholz? Is that too easy? (Tommy Bennett)
2010-01-13 13:00:00 (link to chat)	What type of season do you expect from Clay Buchholz? Seems like it is time for him to completely breakout into a legit stud SP. (Snickers from NJ)	I think it's all a matter of foucs for Buchholz and word has it he really matured last season. If that's the case, he certainly has the physcial ability to dominate, so this could indeed be the year he breaks out. (John Perrotto)
2010-01-13 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Over the next 10 years who do you like more and why: Clay Buchholz or David Price? (Wilbur from Atlanta)	Price. Good stuff, lots of smarts and he's a lefty. (John Perrotto)
2009-12-01 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Hey Mark, Using the Santana Trade as a template: Is a trade of Boston players: Casey Kelly (5 star prospect), Jed Lowrie (MLB Utility INF possible SS/2B), plus a B/B- level prospect like a Gibson (SS)[Navarro (INF) or Lin (OF)] for Doc Halladay work? Remember, Santana netted the Twins Carlos Gomez, great defense with a progressing bat, and the Mulvey/Humber/Guerra trio. Not a very impressive bevy of pitchers. In short, Minnosota received 1 really good player plus some filler in the trade - due to Santana's trade demands, his potential extention price tag and having only 1 year left on the existing contract. The Blue Jays can't possibly get much more than the Twins received in their Trade? (Steven from New England)	I think Minnesota's deal would actually be a reason to expect the Jays to get more, as they will hold out as long as they can until someone is desperate enough to cave in to their demands. I'm not sure how accurate the reports are, but I kept hearing that the Sox would have to give up both Kelley and Clay Buchholz to make this work. I'm not sure how I feel about that, as much as I love Halladay. (Marc Normandin)
2009-08-26 13:00:00 (link to chat)	How to fix the Mets and help the Sox .... Jose Reyes and a PTBNL (probably a Quad-A pitcher) for Clay Buchholz, Casey Kotchman and Chris Carter (am I nuts?) (dianagramr from NYC)	Well, you're not nuts if you're the Red Sox. Especially since they just sent Carter to the Mets in the Wagner deal. If you're the Mets.... yeah, then you're nuts. (Shawn Hoffman)
2009-07-24 16:30:00 (link to chat)	Please rank these in terms of the better MLB career - Clay Buchholz, Naftali Feliz or Max Scherzer? Thanks! Alan (MikeAlan from North Carolina)	Admittedly I'm biased given my relationship with Max but I really do think he has a better career than Buchholz or Feliz, the latter of whom I own in a Strat league and love. Scherzer has absolutely electric stuff but also the know-how and savvy, as evident in the interview I posted with him last year, to make adjustments when adjustments are needed. He's very into the numbers, just like Bannister, but he throws 98 mph. (Eric Seidman)
2009-07-30 14:00:00 (link to chat)	Please rank these in terms of MLB career: Clay Buchholz, Max Scherzer, Naftali Feliz. Thanks, Alan (MikeAlan from North Carolina)	I'd have to go Buchholz, Feliz and Scherzer. I like the idea that Buchholz has had success, albeit just a taste in the major leauges, including throwing the no-hitter. (John Perrotto)
2009-08-05 13:00:00 (link to chat)	In your opinion, is command of a fastball something that young pitchers learn? Or is lack of command of a fastball something that dooms young pitchers (Clay Buchholz, I'm looking at you)? (mase1361 from (Boston))	I have no problem with thinking that. You learn a better grip, arm angle, approach, etc. as you gain more experience, and you pick up on some command. Some guys never get it though. I hope Buchholz isn't one of those pitchers that never gets it at the major league level, because he's got some great stuff and a wonderful ceiling. (Marc Normandin)
2009-06-15 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Do you believe John Smoltz will be a front of the rotation add for the Red Sox? (Jim from Portland)	Front of rotation? No. Useful? Maybe. Better than Clay Buchholz or Michael Bowden? I don't understand that part of it. Look, I liked the plan of a three-headed rotation slot with Penny, Smoltz and Buchholz expected to throw 220 innings in some combination. It all went right - all three are effective, but why stick with it when there's suddenly a surplus? I have to think they'll trade Penny, though Buchholz's antics are starting to wear thin and he could bring a bigger return. (Will Carroll)
2009-06-15 13:00:00 (link to chat)	The Yankees can't send Wang down without exposing him to waivers, otherwise I'm sure they would have. But, my question is this: when you say that Clay Buchholz's antics are starting to wear thin, what antics are you referring to? (mattymatty from Philly)	"Hip imbalance." Buchholz has a laundry list of things, but I'd really rather not get into the gossip. Saying you're not happy in the minors isn't the best way to impress the bosses, though. (Will Carroll)
2009-05-07 14:00:00 (link to chat)	How much longer do you think it will be before the Red Sox call up Clay Buchholz? (Rob from Dallas)	Every chat I get these questions, and I understand why. There are plenty of reasons. You just might be a big fan of the team and you want to see him, or maybe he's on your fantasy team. That said. I don't know. Teams tend not to tell people that, and in addition, opportunity often comes from places other than performance, like injuries. So I don't know when he's coming, but I would guess he is coming soon. (Kevin Goldstein)
2009-05-04 14:00:00 (link to chat)	Bigger ceiling: Clay Buchholz or Homer Bailey? (Rob from Dallas)	Buchholz. Man, I should do all my chats like this. (Joe Sheehan)
2009-04-10 16:30:00 (link to chat)	Why in the world did Boston spend money on aged starting pitching when they have Clay Buchholz waiting in the wings, seemingly ready. Seems they might have been better off adding an adequate backstop or shortstop....why does a smart organization do that? (Peeig13 from The Second City)	Well, let's be fair--they wanted to go after big names this winter, and came up short on Burnett, but I think that's to their advantage. Buchholz flopped last year, but they still obviously have the good sense to value him; if Penny flops, it's only a short-term deal and so what, while Smoltz and Wakefield have both done just fine going to the bullpen when circumstances demand it. If Buchholz puts the Sox in a "must have him up now" situation, that's a nice problem to have. (Christina Kahrl)
2009-04-10 16:30:00 (link to chat)	Hi Christina, thanks for reading my question. Do you think the Red Sox erred by signing Brad Penny? I'm of the belief that Clay Buchholz is ready now, and with John Smoltz (supposedly) on the way, I'm not seeing a way short of a ton of injuries that Buchholz makes it up to Boston this year. Oh, and great idea for BP Idol. (mattymatty from Philly)	No problem matty, thanks for taking the time to drop by and ask it. ;) I think Penny was probably the pitcher too far, but to some extent it's defensible. They didn't make a major commitment, it's not a mistake the way "winning" on Burnett was for the Yankees, they still control Buchholz, and in the AL East arms race, keeping up with the Joneses is a natural enough impulse. I think the Sox are fine; as I noted in TA, that pen's ridiculously stacked. As for Idol, I had nothing to do with the concept, I just get to tell people they look great up there for coming up with it. As is, it's wonderful to see how much enthusiasm there is for the idea, and my hope is that we do find the next Keith Law or Keith Woolner or Dan Fox, the new James Click or Caleb Peiffer. (Christina Kahrl)
2009-01-22 13:00:00 (link to chat)	If you were King of the World, how do you handle Phil Hughes and Clay Buchholz this season? Split year of minor leagues and spot starts in the majors? (GB from New York)	Assuming they're physically and mechanically sound, I'd find room for both on their respective major league rosters, use them in middle and long relief and make them pitch their way into the rotation based on the quality of their performances. If it was good enough for Earl Weaver, it's good enough for me. (Jay Jaffe)
2008-12-04 13:30:00 (link to chat)	Hi Joe, What are your thoughts on Micah Owings and Clay Buchholz (for a keeper league)? Thanks! Alan (Alan from N.C.)	There's a big gap between the two. Owings is a midrotation guy, maybe slightly less, who can hit well enough to make that a real part of his value. Buchholz is a #2 starter in the making, someone who's going to win 150 games. (Joe Sheehan)
2008-10-09 14:00:00 (link to chat)	Going into this season Phil Hughes and Clay Buchholz were widely considered to be two of the best young pitchers in the game. Both had what might kindly be termed lost seasons. Were we wrong to think they were so good? What do you think about them going forward? Thanks! (mattymatty from Philly)	As we like to say around these parts: TNSTAAPP. There's no such thing as a pitching prospect, because pitchers don't develop in orderly fashion. Injuries happen, mechanical flaws manifest themselves, crises of confidence occur, hitters adjust, and suddenly guys don't look like the ones in the catalog. Both Hughes and Buchholz had lost years, but it's way too early to give up on them given the promise they've shown and the health of their arms. Most pitchers who are anointed top prospects have faced little adversity over the course of their careers to get to that point - they've dominated just about every level. Figuring out how to cope with failure, adversity and opponents' adjustments is all part of the learning curve, and some guys take longer to do that than others. (Jay Jaffe)
2008-08-26 13:00:00 (link to chat)	How did Carlos Quentin miss the "Ultimate Fantasy Draft Top 50" as well as the honorable mention section? Do you really think that he will not be one of the best 63 players in baseball over the next 6 years? (uscellular91 from Chicago)	If I had to do it over again, I would probably have put Quentin on the HM list in place of someone like Clay Buchholz. So, my bad on that. But I don't think he's ready to crack the top 50. Pretty much everyone on that list either has multiple years of top-notch performance to back up their selection or plays a premium position -- Quentin does neither. (Nate Silver)
2008-07-25 14:00:00 (link to chat)	Long term - Clay Buchholz or Jon Lester (Joe from Tewksbury, MA)	Buchholz, but Lester has closed a lot of ground in a year. (Joe Sheehan)
2008-05-30 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Who's this Kershaw kid everybody talks about? (Wendy from Madrid)	He was the best pitching prospect left in the minors, since Clay Buchholz and Joba Chamberlain were already in the majors. Kevin Goldstein ranked him #5 overall in his Top 100 this winter. He's 20 years old and based on how he did in Triple-A, is probably cable of carrying himself in the majors right now. (Marc Normandin)
2008-05-30 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Did I just make a big mistake cutting Jeff Francis? And is it worth hanging on to Clay Buchholz, especially with Colon pitching well? (Yatchisin from Santa Barbara)	Francis is a good pitcher, but he's not a good fantasy option. I hope the Sox wouldn't be silly enough to keep Colon on the major league roster in favor of Buchholz, when he's ready to come back. That would just...gah. Bad Sox. (Marc Normandin)
2008-03-11 12:00:00 (link to chat)	Would you say Spring performance is improtant for younger players though? (Trey from SF)	In that playing well helps them make rosters and win jobs, sure, but that's because teams make the mistake of emphasizing spring performance. They convince themselves that the 30 ABs or 10 IP in front of them--against wildly varying comp in games no one cares about winning--mean more than the years of information we already have. If Evan Longoria rakes, or Clay Buchholz gets hammered, it all means nothing. (Joe Sheehan)
2008-02-28 14:00:00 (link to chat)	I'm completely in the tank for Clay Buchholz. What do you think he can do this season for Boston? (mattymatty2000 from Philly, PA)	Deliver, because he's ready. I don't think he'll make people forget Bartolo Colon, but that's because RSN is the kind of place where anybody who can conjure up fond memories of El Guapo might claim some small corner of somebody's attention. (Christina Kahrl)
2008-02-27 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Hey Kevin. I am in a very deep mixed keeper league based on a $500 auction-day salary cap. Keepers are due tomorrow and I am trying to make a trade. I want Zimmerman who is signed pretty cheap ($16). Is Justin Upton ($1) and Clay Buchholz ($1) too much to give up? Also, who do you think will be better this year-Gallardo or Buchholz? Thanks! (Matt from St. Paul)	See, I do not have the honor of being Kevin Goldstein. I am Steven Goldman. People call me "Steve." They call him "Kevin," or sometimes "Bucky." His name ends in Stein. Mine ends in Man. Otherwise, we have whole syllables that aren't in common. He gets respect, I get funny-looking sweaters at Christmas. He's the prospect genius, I'm more of a general practitioner and all-around pundit type. He used to be with Baseball America. I live in America. There are important but subtle differences here. And while I'm flattered to be mistaken for him, the converse is that you have just caused him to gain roughly 100 pounds. Oh, and he's not into fantasy questions. But since you've got Steve and not Kevin (or Bucky), I will say that if I had J. Upton and Buccholz at a buck each I wouldn't let them go. (Steven Goldman)
2008-02-19 13:00:00 (link to chat)	true or false: The Red Sox used date from a high speed motion capture system in determining whether or not to shut down Clay Buchholz last year. (kernan from amherst, NY)	True. It wasn't the only data, I'm told, but they do use it. (Will Carroll)

BP Roundtables

Date	Roundtable Name	Comment
2008-10-10 13:30:00	Friday LCS	Is Masterson locked into this bullpen role or with the Clay Buchholz meltdown, will the Sox try him in the rotation again? (Will Carroll)

PITCHf/x Pitcher Profile

A Collaboration between BrooksBaseball.net and Baseball Prospectus - Pitch classifications provided by Pitch Info LLC

Although he has not thrown an MLB pitch in 2024, Clay Buchholz threw 21,284 pitches that were tracked by the PITCHf/x system between 2008 and 2019, all of them occuring in Spring Training. In 2019, he relied primarily on his Cutter (85mph) and Sinker (89mph), also mixing in a Change (77mph), Curve (75mph) and Fourseam Fastball (90mph).