Red Sox farm director Mike Hazen addressed Clay Buchholz’ admission that he is frustrated about being stuck in the minors despite a performance that suggests that the pitcher is major-league ready. Hazen said that the pitcher was entitled to feel as if he is ready to graduate from the minors, and that in some respects, it is encouraging to hear Buchholz suggest as much, particularly given how his confidence sank last season.

“There should be an expectation of the player to feel like he’s ready to go to the big leagues…It’s a positive thing when somebody feels like they’ve put a lot of hard work in and they’re ready to make that leap,” said Hazen. “I think we’re reading into it more that he has that confidence, that swagger, to seize the opportunity when it comes. Ultimately, he’s just got to go out and continue to perform every five days. He’s held up his end of the bargain. He’s worked hard. We’ve seen nothing affect his five-day routine outside the white lines.”

Hazen applauded Buchholz’ professionalism throughout 2009. In a season in which he is caught in an organization that has tremendous pitching depth that can lead to even an elite pitching prospect remain in the minors, the pitcher has continued to do everything in his power to prepare between starts and to perform when it is his turn on the mound.

“He’s handled every situation that’s been thrown at him like a pro,” said Hazen. “He’s worked his butt off down in Triple-A. Those things are facts. And his performance has been unbelievable. He has taken care of every ounce of what he can. He needs to continue to do it. We’re proud of him.”

Buchholz, of course, is not the first player to be a victim of minor-league options. Sometimes, players who are major-league ready must simply endure a prolonged apprenticeship in the minors while they wait for an opening, simply because they have options remaining. (For the record, the Sox can option Buchholz throughout both this season and next before they would have to subject him to waivers while doing so.) In 2005, Kevin Youkilis was an example of just such a roster victim when he shuttled between Pawtucket and Boston.

While Buchholz is clearly chomping at the bit to reach the majors, Hazen suggested that the pitcher remains driven to do so in Boston, while suggesting that the right-hander will eventually do just that.

“I believe wholeheartedly that Clay Buchholz wants to pitch for the Boston Red Sox,” said Hazen. “I believe wholeheartedly that both (Buchholz and Michael Bowden) want to be Boston Red Sox and that both of them will be, and that they’ll help us win another World Series. It’s just a matter of the timing of the situation.”

4 Comments for “Sox farm director Hazen: ‘Clay Buchholz wants to pitch for the Boston Red Sox’”

1. Rachel Says:
   June 15th, 2009 at 9:24 pm

   I understand Buccholz wanting to pitch, but it was still a bad PR move.

2. Mike Says:
   June 15th, 2009 at 9:43 pm

   Can’t blame the guy for wanting a shot in the big leagues when he has nothing left to prove in minors. The longer he sits posting ERA’s under 2 in minors, the longer it takes for him to get to arbitration and then FA in bigs…not enough financial stability from signing bonus alone. The guy wants to make sure that he’s set for life financially. I think the PR move was intentional to put a bit of pressure on the sox to bring him to bigs or trade him. I’d definitely do the same, regardless how much I loved the team I played for…gotta look out for yourself and your family first.

3. JMDUB Says:
   June 15th, 2009 at 11:26 pm

   Could you imagine how Hank Steinbrenner would of reacted to the same comments from Buch? Yet another reason why the Sox organzation’s stock continues to rise. Well said Mr. Hazen.

   As for Clay, I feel for you man. Keep up the good work. I don’t think your long for the limelight. But seriously, notice how much better the media/fans/everyone regarded Bowden’s comments. Theres a lesson there, and theres always something else to learn. Thats what I think you should focus on down there in AAA.

4. LolaS Says:
   June 16th, 2009 at 7:10 am

   He’s got ability coming out the ears, no doubt, but can we all remember back to the time they brought him up last time and he tanked because it seemed like he had serious maturity issues. The other players even were commenting on how immature he was. He was sent back down because he was not ready and he’d been pitching really well before they brought him up then, too. The Sox have their pitching loaded and he gets to wait. He should want to stay within the safe confines of the incubating machine that the RedSox pitching staff can provide. He’ll get his turn soon enough. One thing everybody says about the young RedSox pitchers (Masterson, Bowden, etc.) is that they are incredibly well-prepared and mature. If they aren’t sending Clay up to the majors, there may be a very good reason for that even besides the lack of a roster spot!

Leave a Reply