Clay Buchholz just couldn't learn on the job at the big league level. It was obvious last night in Baltimore. Portland's Sea Dogs may be just the thing for him at this point.
Buchholz reminds me of the phrase "successful repetition builds competence & competence builds confidence." As an example, my assistant coach for many years would teach hitting fundamentals. He was very skilled at instruction on the mechanics of the swing. Then it was up to our kids to get the proper amount of repetitions in to develop muscle memory. During a game the kids who worked the hardest would have the proper mechanics without thinking about it.
Buchholz never got to the confidence point of learning his new arm angle on the fastball. It was obvious last night that he was thinking, more than doing. Just look at how many times he fell off to the left side of the mound, almost landing in a different spot on each pitch. You can't think out there, especially at the Major League level. It has to come naturally. More repetitions at the Double A level may just right the ship for Clay.
Don't be surprised to see him back with the big club if the Sox need a 5th starter in late September.
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