So far is seems that way.
Keith Law responded to a question in his chat yesterday, asking whether or not Buchholz’s Groundball percentage is real or not.
Law’s response:
“I only saw one outing but I could believe it. His arm slot was a little lower and his fastball had more life than I’d seen in the past (and it was harder – 92-96).”
Great sign if one is a Red Sox fan. Now, we see the action on that fastball, so it is nothing new to us. But hearing it confirmed from a scout is always a good sign, and an indication that what we see is real.
Currently his groundball rate, is a rate of 60 percent. Really, really high. That number probably won’t be sustained. But a definite improved groundball rate most likely will.
The concerning thing is that his K/9 is at only 5.57. And his walks are right behind that at 5.29 BB/9. But we know he has the stuff to get the K’s. But does he have the control to limit the walks? That we will need to see.
If you’ve watched his past two starts, Buchholz has really made some nice strides toward becoming a better pitcher. The ball has been put on the ground, and even though he hasn’t been racking up K’s, I am confident that those will come with time.
And that newfound ability to induce ground balls…gotta like it.
