first....middle of the rotation guys on good teams are hard to come by second...all i have read on prospect sites is that this guy has #1/#2 ability
You can read all the projections/predictions you want... bottom line is, you won't know about this guy till he faces the batters. ESPN expected Oswalt to be a possible closer, or middle of the rotation guy... definitly not the ace he is. They didn't expect much from Wade Miller... at least not enough to proclaim him a future #1 or 2. They actually DID expect more from Redding (and, after they missed on Oswalt and Miller, could you blame them for thinking the Astros pulled off another one?), but they were further off on that one as well... but he may become something in the future still. Buckholz will be brought along the same way these guys were... and if his arm stays healthy, there's no reason why he can't succeed. He has the most important thing that prospects need... talent.
Good point. Here's a good scouting report on him from Baseball America. Their reports are usually up to par, IMO. Strengths: Buchholz’ signature pitch is a hard curveball he picked up in low Class A in 2001. One scout compared its quality and his feel for it to Josh Beckett’s and Kerry Wood’s, while Phillies assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle said Buchholz’ curve could be one of the five best in the National League within a few years. He throws the bender at 76-79 mph, and can change speeds off it to further befuddle hitters. Buchholz also has a quality fastball that sits in the low 90s, touches 95 mph and has heavy life. He’ll flash an average changeup at times. He has a strong, durable frame that has held up well through 78 starts over the last three seasons. He shows good poise on the mound and never let a lack of run support fluster him at Double-A Reading. The article goes on to say alot more and that he could be a good #2 starter. I just feel our farm system is extremly depleted and we need to find a way to add some quality and depth to it quick. http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/features/03top10s/astros.html
I like this move...One, it allows CH to not rush back and gives Redding the confidence knowing going into Spring Training that he's #5 ...
