Taylor Buchholz
| Taylor Buchholz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Free Agent – No. -- | |
| Relief pitcher | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| debut | |
| April 7, 2006, for the Houston Astros | |
| Career statistics (through August 13, 2010) | |
| Win-Loss | 19-21 |
| Earned run average | 4.42 |
| Strikeouts | 203 |
| Teams | |
Taylor Buchholz (born October 13, 1981, in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania) is a professional baseball pitcher who currently is a pitcher for the New York Mets.
Biography
Buchholz stands 6 feet 4 inches tall, and weighs 220 lbs. He bats and throws right-handed. He lives in Springfield, Pennsylvania, during the offseason.
He attended Springfield Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, the same high school that produced Mike Scioscia. As a high school standout, Buchholz dominated batters in the Delaware County Central League. In a May 2000 home game, Buchholz delivered a one-hit performance, retiring 21 of 22 batters in a 4-0 victory. Professional scouts determined that Buchholz was dealing fastballs at nearly 97 miles per hour during the 2000 season.[citation needed]
He received an offer to play for the North Carolina Tar Heels, among other schools, but he did not go to college and entered the Philadelphia Phillies farm system.
Buchholz married his long-time girlfriend in 2009 during the offseason.
He is the distant cousin of Boston Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz.[1]
Baseball career
Buchholz started out as a minor leaguer for the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2003, he was dealt with Ezequiel Astacio and Brandon Duckworth to the Astros for all-star closer Billy Wagner. Originally forgotten by many fans due to Astacio and Duckworth both quickly being brought up to the majors, Buchholz proceeded to impress scouts in the minors, showing promise for the future. After going 6-0 with a 4.81 ERA in 20 games for the Astros Triple A Affiliate Round Rock Express in 2005, Buchholz was called up to the Astros main roster in the 2006 season.
His first success came in his second major league appearance in what was almost a complete-game one-hit shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The first hit came when second baseman Eric Bruntlett double-clutched the ball before throwing, allowing runner Chris Duffy to reach first base safely. After Jack Wilson singled, Astros manager Phil Garner pulled Buchholz and brought in closer Brad Lidge, who struck out Jason Bay to end the game. Buchholz ended up going 8 2/3 innings and giving up only two hits.
On July 29, 2006, Buchholz was sent down to Triple A Round Rock.[citation needed]
According to SI.com, Buchholz was included as part of a proposed December 7, 2006 trade with the Chicago White Sox to bring Jon Garland to the Astros. The trade, however, fell through when Buchholz failed his physical.[2] Buchholz denies this, telling the Houston Chronicle that he hasn't had a physical since prior to the 2006 season.[3] These rumors were cast off by White Sox general manager Ken Williams.[4]
On December 12, the Astros traded Willy Taveras, Taylor Buchholz, and Jason Hirsh to the Colorado Rockies for Rockies pitchers Jason Jennings and Miguel Asencio.[citation needed]
In the 2007 season, Buchholz was utilized by the Rockies as a starter. This was not the right fit for Buchholz as he was sent to the bullpen to be the Rockies many inning relief pitcher. In 2008, Buchholz took up the role as a set-up man for Rockies closer, Brian Fuentes. He had been stellar in that role, utilizing pinpoint control, and a nasty curve. Taylor nearly was picked to the National League All Star game by manager Clint Hurdle.
After missing all of 2009 due to Tommy John surgery, Buchholz made his 2010 debut on July 24, giving up a 2-run homer to Raúl Ibáñez.[5] Weeks later, on August 17, he was again placed on the DL with lower back stiffness.
On September 9, 2010, Buchholz was claimed off of waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays and placed on the team's 40-man roster.[citation needed]
On November 15, 2010, Buchholz was claimed off of waivers by the Boston Red Sox.
On December 2, 2010, Buchholz's contract was non-tendered by the Boston Red Sox.
On January 1st, 2011, Taylor Buchholz was signed by the New York Mets to a one year contract.
Career highlights
- Named the Houston Astros' top prospect in 2004 by Baseball America.[citation needed]
- Named "Pitcher with Best Control" prior to the 2004 season by Baseball America.[citation needed]
- Ranked as the Houston Astros' No. 7 prospect before the 2005 season.[citation needed]
- Florida State League Pitcher of the Year in 1998.[citation needed]
- Participated in American Legion baseball leagues.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Peter Abraham (2010-11-15). "Boston.com - Clay's cousin could be a good find". Boston.com/sports.
- ^ "SI.com - Writers - San Francisco treat? (cont.) - Thursday December 7, 2006 3:21PM". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. 2006-12-07. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ^ Jesus, Jose De (2006-12-07). "Garland deal stalls; Pettitte remains in talks | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle". Chron.com. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ^ By Scott Merkin and Alyson Footer / MLB.com (2006-12-07). "White Sox downplay Garland report | whitesox.com: News". Chicago.whitesox.mlb.com. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ^ By Andy Jasner / Special to MLB.com (2010-07-24). "Buchholz takes long road back to big leagues | ColoradoRockies.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Baseball players from Pennsylvania
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- 1981 births
- Living people
- Houston Astros players
- Colorado Rockies players
- Toronto Blue Jays players
- Gulf Coast Phillies players
- Lakewood Blue Claws players
- Reading Phillies players
- Clearwater Phillies players
- New Orleans Zephyrs players
- Round Rock Express players
- Colorado Springs Sky Sox players
- Modesto Nuts players
- Sportspeople from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania