Kansas City Royals could use Clay Buchholz in big leagues
The Kansas City Royals are off to a less than stellar start. The rotation could certainly use former Red Sox and Phillies pitcher Clay Buchholz, who twirled a gem in his first outing of the season.
The Kansas City Royals signed Clay Buchholz to a minor league deal during spring training in what seemed to be an okay move. Buchholz was always thought to be the next big thing when it came to Red Sox pitchers, but injuries plagued his time there and he wound up in Philadelphia in 2017.
His Phillies career was short-lived, but the Royals decided to take a chance on Buchholz. He began the season in Northwest Arkansas (Double-A) and made his season debut on Tuesday. In that game, Buchholz went 4.2 innings allowing just one hit and two walks and not surrendering a run. He also struck out five batters.
Buchholz’s debut was so good that it wouldn’t be surprising at all if he was called up quickly. The Royals are desperate enough that if Buchholz throws another gem during his next start, he’d likely be brought up to the big leagues.
Clay Buchholz worked 4.2 innings, one hit, no runs, two walks, five strikeouts...left the game w/ a man on 3rd & RH Jason Adam struck out the next batter on a 97 MPH fastball. Buchholz threw 77 pitches, 56 strikes. Retired first 11 hitters faced. #NWANaturals #Royals
— Benjamin J. Kelly (@BenjaminKelly26) April 18, 2018
Simply put – the Kansas City Royals NEED Clay Buchholz right now. Eric Skoglund isn’t ready to be a permanent starter in the rotation (nothing against the kid, just needs more fine tuning in the minors), so Buchholz could slide into his old spot. If nothing else, put Buchholz in the bullpen and work some of that “former starter to reliever magic” the Royals used to always have going for them.
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Buchholz has an opt-out on May 1st, meaning if he’s not called up to Kansas City by that date, he can opt out and sign elsewhere. If he continues to pitch the way he did for the Naturals on Tuesday, then he’ll be a hot commodity for a ball club to sign for sure.
The Royals have nothing to lose and everything to gain by bringing Buchholz up to the majors. He’s a new arm in either the rotation or the bullpen and looked promising in his lone minor league start. I know one start isn’t the telling factor when it comes to a pitcher’s season, but the Royals are in desperate need of something to come along and help them out of the miserable hole they’re in right now.
Maybe Clay Buchholz is that guy, maybe he’s not, but there’s no harm in calling him up and having him start a game here soon. Who knows? Maybe it could be the turning point for the team this season.