Clay Buchholz, Pitcher
Date of Birth: 8/14/1984
Birthplace: Nederland, Texas
College: McNeese State University
Clay Buchholz, pitcher, was a top player in college, having a 12-1 record and a 1.05 ERA in 15 games in 2005. That same year, he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox. After almost three years in the minor leagues, he was called up to the Red Sox in 2007 to pitch in four games with them. He had an impressive start, pitching a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles on September 1, 2007.
Buchholz suffered from injuries in 2008 and he spent considerable time on the DL, pitching in just 16 games with the Red Sox. The following year, he started the season in the minor leagues. He again pitched in just 16 games with the Red Sox in 2009.
Buchholz had his best season in 2010 when he led all major league pitchers in ERA. That year, he pitched 173.2 innings with a career high 17 wins (to 7 losses), 120 strikeouts to 67 walks, and a 2.33 ERA in 28 games.
In April, 2011, Buchholz signed a four-year contract extension with the Red Sox. That season, his game play was limited to 14 games due to injuries. In 2012, he pitched 189.1 innings in 29 games and he finished the season with an 11-8 record and a 4.56 ERA. He was again on the DL in 2013, this time with a neck strain. That season, he pitched in 16 games and he finished with an impressive 12-1 record and a 1.74 ERA.
Buchholz finished the 2014 season with an 8-11 record, 132 strikeouts to 54 walks, and a 5.34 ERA in 28 games. His season ended on a memorable note on September 28, 2014, when Derek Jeter had his final major league hit on a pitch from Buchholz.
Buchholz spent time on the DL in 2015, pitching in just 18 games with the Red Sox. He finished the season with a 7-7 record, 107 strikeouts to 23 walks, and a 3.26 ERA in 113.1 innings.
After the 2015 season ended, the Red Sox exercised Buchholz's $13 million option for 2016. He finished the 2016 season with a 4.78 ERA, 8 wins to 10 losses, and 93 strikeouts to 55 walks in 139.1 innings in 21 games as a starting pitcher and 16 games as a reliever. In the postseason, he pitched 4.0 innings in one game and he gave up 6 hits and 2 runs.
The Red Sox picked up Buchholz's option for 2017 on November 3, 2016. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on December 20, 2016. He spent most of the 2017 season on the DL, pitching just 7.1 innings in 2 games with the Phillies.
Buchholz became a free agent on November 2, 2017. He signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 5, 2018. He spent time on the DL in 2018 with a strained oblique and with an elbow flexor strain. He finished the season with 7 wins and 2 losses, 81 strikeouts to 22 walks, and a 2.01 ERA in 98.1 innings in 16 games.
Buchholz elected free agency on October 29, 2018. He signed with the Toronto Blue Jays on March 5, 2019. He spent time on the DL in 2019 with shoulder inflammation. He finished the season with 2 wins and 5 losses, 39 strikeouts to 16 walks, and a 6.56 ERA in 59.0 innings in 12 games.
Buchholz became a free agent on October 31, 2019. He hasn't played professional baseball since 2019.
Career pitching statistics for Buchholz through 2019 include:
- 236 games played
- 1,332.1 innings pitched
- 90-69 win-loss record
- 1,024 strikeouts to 458 walks
- 3.98 ERA
Charitable Work
Buchholz has a charity wine, Chardon Clay. Proceeds from sales of the wine go to the Jimmy Fund to support cancer research. Information on the Jimmy Fund is available at jimmyfund.org.
Personal Life
Buchholz married model Lindsay Clubine on November 14, 2009. They have one daughter.
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Clay Buchholz
ESPN - Clay Buchholz