Taylor Buchholz

Infobox MLB player
name = Taylor Buchholz

---

width = 300
caption =
team = Colorado Rockies
number = 35
position = Relief pitcher
birthdate = birth date and age|1981|10|13
birthplace = city-state|Lower Merion Township|Pennsylvania
bats = Right
throws = Right
debutdate = April 7
debutyear = 2006
debutteam = Houston Astros
statyear = 2008
stat1label = Win-Loss
stat1value = 18-21
stat2label = Earned run average
stat2value = 4.42
stat3label = Strikeouts
stat3value = 194
teams =
*Houston Astros (by|2006)
*Colorado Rockies (by|2007-present)

Taylor Buchholz (born October 13, 1981 in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania) is a pitcher with the Colorado Rockies in Major League Baseball. His rookie season was in 2006.

Biography

Buchholz stands at 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 220 lbs. He bats and throws right-handed. He did not go to college. He lives in Springfield, PA during the offseason.

He attended Springfield Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, the same high school that produced Mike Scioscia.

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.

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. [ [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/jon_heyman/12/07/thursday.scoop/1.html SI.com - Writers - San Francisco treat? (cont.) - Thursday December 7, 2006 3:21PM ] ] Buchholz denies this, telling the Houston Chronicle that he hasn't had a physical since prior to the 2006 season. [ [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4385643.html Garland deal stalls; Pettitte remains in talks | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle ] ] These rumors were cast off by White Sox general manager Ken Williams. [ [http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061207&content_id=1754067&vkey=news_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws White Sox downplay Garland report | whitesox.com: News ] ]

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 utlized by the Rockies as a starter. This was not the right fit for Bucholz 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 has been stellar in that role, utilizing pinpoint controll, and a nasty curve. Taylor nearly was picked to the National League All Star game by manager Clint Hurdle.

He is of no relation to Boston Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz. [http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=3439159&type=story]

Career highlights

* Named the Houston Astros' top prospect in 2004 by "Baseball America".
* Named "Pitcher with Best Control" prior to the 2004 season by "Baseball America".
* Ranked as the Houston Astros' No. 7 prospect before the 2005 season.
* Florida State League Pitcher of the Year in 2002.
* Participated in American Legion baseball leagues.

References

External links

* [http://houston.astros.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=430587 MLB Profile]