On August 17th, former Weatherford Wrangler Clay Buchholz became the third Texas Collegiate League alumni to play in the major leagues.  The 23-year-old right-hander made his major league debut and held one of the most dominating offensive teams in the major leagues to only three earned runs in six strong innings, leading the Red Sox to an 8-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels in the first game of a doubleheader.   The Red Sox top pitching prospect earned the win against Cy Young candidate John Lackey (15-7, 3.32). Buchholz, who was called up to make a spot start that permitted the team to avoid dipping into the bullpen, surrendered eight hits and three walks while striking out five batters. The Red Sox optioned him back to Triple-A Pawtucket after the game. “I’ll definitely remember this forever,” Buchholz told the Boston Herald. “It’s probably the biggest day of my life up to right now. The next time I come up, it will be that much better. I’ll never forget it.” The Lumberton, Texas, native was selected by

Boston as the 42nd overall pick in the June 2005 Draft. In 2006, he was named the Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Year after compiling an 11-4 record with a 2.42 ERA and leading all Sox farmhands with 140 strikeouts. This season, Buchholz led all minor leaguers with 164 strikeouts before he was called up.  In the summer of 2005, Buchholz signed with the TCL’s Weatherford Wranglers and was on the roster up until MLB draft day.  Due to being drafted and signing with the Red Sox, he never got the chance to take the mound in a Wranglers uniform. Click here for more info on his debut.