November 2, 2008

Buchholz Rediscovering Changeup In AFL

Clay Buchholz has a 2.60 ERA in four Arizona Fall League starts for the Scottsdale Scorpions.

In 17.1 innings, he has allowed 13 hits and 5 walks (a 1.04 WHIP) and struck out 12, while holding batters to a .201 average. Four of his five earned runs allowed came in one bad start.

One non-Boston scout told Sean McAdam that Buchholz has
gained some of his swagger back. He lost some confidence during the year, but his velocity was back. He was throwing 91-95, and was free and easy. He had a dominant curveball and a plus change. ... Some people were worried about his makeup and arm, but he seemed fine here.
Theo Epstein says:
He's been 93 to 95 with his old changeup back, his 80 changeup, and getting swings and misses. He's able to throw it for a strike. His curveball has improved from the season. ...

He's working with a real sense of purpose and determination to try to figure some things out that had perplexed him for a little bit this season. ... Depending on the work Clay does this fall and what kind of winter he has with building up his strength and his mindset, he could come to camp anywhere from our fifth starter to our seventh starter.
Filing for free agency on Friday: Curt Schilling, Mark Kotsay, and Bartolo Colon. Jason Varitek, Alex Cora, Sean Casey and David Ross have also filed. Mike Timlin and Paul Byrd are expected to file this week.

The Red Sox will keep their spring training facilities in Fort Myers, Florida, deciding not to move operations to Sarasota. In 2012, the Red Sox will move into a new complex in south Lee County, which will include "a new stadium, to be modeled after Fenway Park, which will seat approximately 10,000, with room for another 2,000 on outfield berm and in standing-room areas [and] six practice fields ..."

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