Red Sox SP Clay Buchholz

Red Sox P Clay Buchholz is finally starting to live up to the hype that comes with being a former top prospect in the Red Sox system.  Following last nights 6-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Buchholz is currently 9-4 with a 2.67 ERA in 13 starts.  8 of those games have been Quality Starts (6 IP and 3 ER or less) and he also has a complete game shut out vs. the Baltimore Orioles.

Buchholz has stepped up in a major way with Sox ace Josh Beckett on the disabled list.  Granted, while his last few starts haven’t exactly been against the juggernauts of Major League Baseball, (Arizona, Cleveland, Baltimore, Kansas City), he does hold victories over 5 American League teams with winning records – Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Detroit, the L.A. Angels, and Toronto. 

His only horrible start of the year was against the New York Yankees, in which he allowed 5 earned runs in just 5 innings.  How many pitchers are able to squash that lineup?  Not many.  Even Phillies ace and perennial Cy Young candidate Roy Halladay was whacked by the Bombers, giving up 4 homeruns yesterday at the House that Jeter Built.  Besides that one bad performance, one could make the argument Buchholz has been the Red Sox’ most consistent starter thus far. 

He has shown composure that has not seen from him since his no-hitter back in 2007, as he has the lowest strikeout to walk ratio of his career (1.71).  His control has improved dramatically, and he has used that control to pitch to contact and rely on the improved infield defense of Adrian Beltre and Marco Scutaro to get more groundouts.  He is becoming more of a pitcher than just a thrower who is just trying to blow every hitter away. 

Buchholz is a fantastic value for the Red Sox as he is currently making less than $500,000 this year, and is able to offset questionable contracts such as those of Mike Cameron and Daisuke Matsuzaka.  While he has been the subject of trade rumors ever since he made his major league debut back in 2007, with the injuries to Beckett and Matsuzaka they need him more than ever. 

However, one could also say that his trade value may never be higher, given his performance and contract.  While this may be true, for the moment the Red Sox offense looks pretty decent.  This lineup, which before the year looked questionable on paper, has been a nice surprise thanks to Beltre’s offensive output, as well as key contributions from the likes of Darnell McDonald, Jeremy Hermida, and Daniel Nava in the absence of Cameron and Jacoby Ellsbury.  Buchholz’ next start will be at home Sunday against Manny Ramirez and the Los Angeles Dodgers, which should be wildly entertaining no matter how you slice it.

Red Sox Prospect Casey Kelly

As the Boston Red Sox enter the 2010 season, hope springs eternal as expectations for the team are high as always.  The pressure will always be on to catch the hated Yankees in the AL East.  But what does the future hold?  Boston fans can rest assured that the future of the team looks secure, as there are many exciting players in the minor league system to replenish the team for years to come.  Spring training is a great showcase for young players and prospects, and the Sox camp is full of them.

The Sox’ most prized prospect is pitcher Casey Kelly. Just age 20, Kelly features the standard arsenal for a young right hander with a low to mid-90’s fastball, curve, and change-up.  He is most likely to stay at AA Portland this year to continue his development and probably debut at some point in 2011.  The former shortstop and 2008 1^st round pick is the Red Sox most untouchable minor leaguer.

Ryan Westmoreland is local product from Portsmouth, Rhode Island.  A 19-year old outfielder, Westmoreland projects as a top-notch defensive player with great speed and base running ability.  He is a patient and disciplined left-hander hitter who can spray the ball to all fields.  Keep your eye on him, as he is still in the lower levels of the minors, but should be a fast riser and be in Boston in a few years.

Jose Iglesias is a 20-year old defensive prodigy at shortstop.  Signed in September as an international free agent from Cuba, Iglesias has already wowed the team’s staff in Ft. Myers.  While scouts say he must improve at the plate, he did manage to hit .275 in the Arizona Fall League in 2009.  Given the volatility at the position, this potential Gold-Glover could be in Boston sooner than expected.

While many Major League Baseball and American League teams play checkers, the Red Sox brass continue to play chess.  Excellent drafting and scouting has kept the team competitive for the last decade, and this trend will almost surely continue for the next ten years.  As other teams splurge on free-agents that are well past their prime, the Sox invest a vast amount of resources into their minor league system as they grow talent on the cheap.