Taylor Buchholz
Encyclopedia
Taylor Buchholz is an American
professional baseball
pitcher
who is currently a free agent.
during the offseason.
He is a distant cousin of Boston Red Sox
pitcher Clay Buchholz
.
. 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 innings and giving up only two hits.
On July 29, 2006, Buchholz was demoted to the Triple A Round Rock
.
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. Buchholz denies this, telling the Houston Chronicle that he has not had a physical since prior to the 2006 season. These rumors were cast off by White Sox general manager Ken Williams
.
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
.
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 long 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
. 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. He was waived by the Blue Jays. He was claimed off of waivers by the Boston Red Sox on November 15, then non-tendered on December 2.
Buchholz signed a one year contract with the New York Mets
on January 3, 2011. His season has been plagued by his battle with depression.
On November 14, 2011 he was outrighted off the Mets roster, and elected free agency on November 17
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who is currently a free agent.
Biography
Buchholz stands 6 feet 4 inches tall, and weighs 220 lbs. He bats and throws right-handed. He lives in Springfield, PennsylvaniaSpringfield Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Springfield Township, or simply Springfield, is a township and a Census Designated Place in Delaware County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The population was 23,677 at the 2000 census...
during the offseason.
He is a distant cousin of Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
pitcher Clay Buchholz
Clay Buchholz
Clay Daniel Buchholz pitches for the Boston Red Sox of major league baseball. On September 1, 2007, in just his second major league start, he recorded a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles, becoming the third MLB pitcher since 1900 to throw a no-hitter in his first or second start...
.
Baseball career
Buchholz started out as a minor leaguer for the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. In 2003, he was dealt with Ezequiel Astacio
Ezequiel Astacio
Ezequiel Franklin Astacio is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who currently plays for the San Angelo Colts in the United Baseball League....
and Brandon Duckworth
Brandon Duckworth
Brandon J. Duckworth is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox organization. Graduated in 1994 from Kearns High in Kearns Utah....
to the Astros for all-star closer Billy Wagner
Billy Wagner
William Edward Wagner , nicknamed "Billy the Kid", is a retired Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He pitched for the Houston Astros , the Philadelphia Phillies , the New York Mets , the Boston Red Sox , and the Atlanta Braves...
. 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
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 20 games for the Astros Triple A Affiliate Round Rock Express
Round Rock Express
The Round Rock Express is a class Triple-A Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team in Round Rock, Texas, owned by RSR Sports and founded by Reid Ryan, son of Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. The team is affiliated with the Texas Rangers, for whom Nolan Ryan serves as the president and...
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
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. The first hit came when second baseman Eric Bruntlett
Eric Bruntlett
Eric Kevin Bruntlett is a retired Major League Baseball utility player who last played in the New York Yankees organization. He was known for his defensive versatility; he usually played second base or shortstop, but has also played left field. Bruntlett played every position except for catcher...
double-clutched the ball before throwing, allowing runner Chris Duffy to reach first base safely. After Jack Wilson singled, Astros manager Phil Garner
Phil Garner
Philip Mason Garner is a former infielder in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants from 1973 to 1988...
pulled Buchholz and brought in closer Brad Lidge
Brad Lidge
Bradley Thomas "Brad" Lidge is a reliever who is currently a free agent. Nicknamed "Lights Out", he is the all-time leader in strikeouts per nine innings among pitchers with at least 200 appearances in their career...
, who struck out Jason Bay
Jason Bay
Jason Raymond Bay is a Canadian professional baseball player. An outfielder, he currently plays for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball...
to end the game. Buchholz ended up going 8 innings and giving up only two hits.
On July 29, 2006, Buchholz was demoted to the Triple A Round Rock
Round Rock Express
The Round Rock Express is a class Triple-A Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team in Round Rock, Texas, owned by RSR Sports and founded by Reid Ryan, son of Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. The team is affiliated with the Texas Rangers, for whom Nolan Ryan serves as the president and...
.
According to SI.com
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
, Buchholz was included as part of a proposed December 7, 2006 trade with the Chicago White Sox to bring Jon Garland
Jon Garland
Jon Steven Garland is a right-handed starting pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-High school career:At John F...
to the Astros. The trade, however, fell through when Buchholz failed his physical. Buchholz denies this, telling the Houston Chronicle that he has not had a physical since prior to the 2006 season. These rumors were cast off by White Sox general manager Ken Williams
Ken Williams (baseball)
Kenneth Roy Williams was an American professional baseball player. He played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball from to . Williams began his major league career with the Cincinnati Reds before spending the majority of his playing days with the St...
.
On December 12, the Astros traded Willy Taveras
Willy Taveras
Willy Taveras is a Major League Baseball center fielder.-Houston Astros:Taveras played in 10 games at the end of the Astros season, mostly as a pinch runner....
, Taylor Buchholz, and Jason Hirsh
Jason Hirsh
Jason Michael Hirsh is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who is a free agent.Hirsh was a dominant minor league pitcher in 2005–06, winning the Double-A Texas League Pitcher of the Year Award and the Triple-A Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year Award in successive seasons, as he went...
to the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
for Rockies pitchers Jason Jennings
Jason Jennings
Jason Ryan Jennings is an American Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent.-High school/college years:...
and Miguel Asencio
Miguel Asencio
Miguel DePaula Asencio is a Major League Baseball pitcher. He began his pro-career in in the Dominican Republic. In eleven games, he went 0-2 with a 6.55 ERA....
.
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 long relief pitcher. In 2008, Buchholz took up the role as a set-up man for Rockies closer, Brian Fuentes
Brian Fuentes
Brian Christopher Fuentes is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who currently plays for the Oakland Athletics. Previously, he played for the Seattle Mariners, the Colorado Rockies, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Minnesota Twins...
. 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
Clint Hurdle
Clinton Merrick Hurdle is a former Major League Baseball outfielder whose 10-year career was spent with the Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals. After retiring from playing baseball, Hurdle became a manager...
.
After missing all of 2009 due to Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
, Buchholz made his 2010 debut on July 24, giving up a 2-run homer to Raúl Ibáñez
Raúl Ibáñez
Raúl Javier Ibáñez is an American Major League Baseball outfielder.Over his career, Ibáñez, who did not make 500 plate appearances until the age of thirty, has batted .280 with 377 doubles, 252 home runs and 1054 runs batted in over sixteen Major League seasons...
. 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. He was waived by the Blue Jays. He was claimed off of waivers by the Boston Red Sox on November 15, then non-tendered on December 2.
Buchholz signed a one year contract with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
on January 3, 2011. His season has been plagued by his battle with depression.
On November 14, 2011 he was outrighted off the Mets roster, and elected free agency on November 17