Clay's resurgence?

[rwolfe09]

I got this off of SoxProspects.com..

"Portland blanked New Hampshire 7-0 behind the dominant start of Clay Buchholz. He threw 8 shutout innings allowing 2 hits and a BB. He fanned 10."

Maybe Clay is gaining confidence for a September call-up? I mean I feel they need to give him one more chance (in the bullpen obviously). What do you all think? Was this start a fluke or a sign of things to come?

[riredsox]

Keep in mind AA is NOT Boston. The hitters are much weaker, and you don't have to face A-Rod, or anyone like that.

[SoxFan68]

I don't see a September call-up at all. He was only sent down about 2 weeks ago. The only reason he's in Portland right now and not Pawtucket is because Mike Cather is Portland's pitching coach and he is the best in the system. Most of the time as the cases have been with Buchholz, Masterson, Bowden etc. the players spend a long time in Portland to learn from Cather and then they spend a very short period at AAA until they move up to Boston. Clay is really only in Portland for learning purposes and to fix mechanical issues, his performance there really doesn't matter. He shouldn't and probably won't get a September call up no matter what he does.

[Mike D.]

I really think Clay can turn things around and be a contributing member of the starting rotation next year, but I'd rather see him spend the rest of the season in Portland, and then maybe get some work in down at the training complex in Florida, rather than call him up again and throw him right back into the heat of a pennant race.

[sharrock]

Its the same as the info regarding his other start: it has little or no meaning. He proved, over many starts, that he was not a major league pitcher. Now he needs to hone his skills and regain his mental toughness. He, and us, should be focused on 2009 for him. I wish him the best.

[Imgran]

Do NOT rush him back. Let him spend a goooooood long time in Portland/Pawtucket perfecting his mechanics. When he looks like he might have just gotten it right for a start or two, leave him down. When the numbers are ridiculous leave him down. When we need a spot starter... LEAVE.... HIM.... DOWN!!! ONLY sustained success over half a season will satisfy me.

The kid's got to learn how to pitch right. I don't give a flying crap about his numbers. Until he locates that fastball the way he needs to his curve and change can eat minor leaguers for breakfast for all I care. I still don't want to see his face on my TV screen again if there's any chance the debacle I had to watch this summer will repeat itself.

[rwolfe09]

I was just checking out Clay's numbers tonight and then it hit me. First off, I'll give you his line.

6.0 IP
6 hits
3 runs (all earned)
1 BB
9 Ks
1 HR allowed

Does anyone think that we gave Clay too easy of a ride to Boston? If you think about it..they seemingly gave him a spot because he did good at the end of the season but mostly because of his no-hitter. I think that really started the downfall with his confidence. Put yourself in Buchholz's shoes..you're given a starting pitching job and you're young. You start struggling and obviously you can't shake it. The team keeps their confidence in you but you continue to "eat it". I think the only way for him to get his amazing confidence (ie: Orioles No-Hitter, Sept. 2007) is to make him work his way back up. Obviously this is hard this year but start him off in Portland next season and let him work. Give him no pressure and he will pay dividends. Believe me..I may sound crazy but this crazy logic I have may just work. And sorry..I may have just rambled..I'm not too sure.

[Westlake]

Bring him back.

[DoubleX]

Does anyone think that we gave Clay too easy of a ride to Boston? If you think about it..they seemingly gave him a spot because he did good at the end of the season but mostly because of his no-hitter. I think that really started the downfall with his confidence. Put yourself in Buchholz's shoes..you're given a starting pitching job and you're young. You start struggling and obviously you can't shake it. The team keeps their confidence in you but you continue to "eat it". I think the only way for him to get his amazing confidence (ie: Orioles No-Hitter, Sept. 2007) is to make him work his way back up. Obviously this is hard this year but start him off in Portland next season and let him work. Give him no pressure and he will pay dividends. Believe me..I may sound crazy but this crazy logic I have may just work. And sorry..I may have just rambled..I'm not too sure.

Sounds a lot like the Yankees with Hughes and Kennedy. In retrospect, I think the Yankees should have started both in the minors, letting them build up confidence, instead of heaping a lot of expectations on them by thrusting them into the rotation at the start of the year. Perhaps the same thing happened with Buchholz?