Phil Hughes Vs Clay Buchholz

[Chubz]

Both pitchers are the studs of their system. Hughes has somewhat been overshadowed by the emergance of Joba Chamberlain, Buchholz has no one equal to his talent in the Sox's system. Masterson isn't even close.

Lets look at the tale of the tape:

#34 Phil Hughes | SP

Proper Name: Philip J. Hughes Born: June 24, 1986 Dalton, GA Height: 6-5 Weight: 220 lbs. Age: 21

Bats: Right Throws: Right Pos: SP Experience: 0 years 2008 Salary: $N/A

Career: Pitching | Fielding
SEASON	TEAM	G	GS	CG	SHO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	SV	HLD	BLSV	ERA
2007	NYY	13	13	0	0	72.2	64	39	36	8	29	58	5	3	0	0	--	4.46

VS

#61 Clay Buchholz | SP

Proper Name: Clay D. Buchholz Born: August 14, 1984 Nederland, TX Height: 6-3 Weight: 190 lbs. Age: 23

Bats: Left Throws: Right Pos: SP Experience: 0 years 2008 Salary: $N/A College: Angelina (TX) JC

Career: Pitching | Fielding
SEASON	TEAM	G	GS	CG	SHO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	SV	HLD	BLSV	ERA
2007	Bos	4	3	1	1	22.2	14	6	4	0	10	22	3	1	0	0	--	1.59

Both pitchers have great stuff, both have plus fastballs and both average between 91 and up to 95mph. Hughes has better control than Buchholz on both the 4-seam and 2-seam fastballs. Hughes probably has the better 2-seamer. As far as curveballs go, Hughes has the advantage of that as well. Before Hughes went down with the hamstring injury last season, he showed he had insanely good command and location with his curveball. Buchholz has a good curve but not as polished as Hughes. One major advantage for Buchholz is his changeup. I'd say its his best pitch by far. He had a lot of MLB hitters looking way off balance when he went to the changeup. Id say his changeup is more dominant than any of Hughes' pitches. The one thing Yankee pitching coach Dave Eiland has been working on with Hughes is the changeup. His changeup isnt that bad, but it could be more effective. As far as last season goes, I give Hughes an incomplete, he was out with injury for 3 months and took him another month to get his legs back under him. He finshed up the month of september strongly. Clay had an outstanding 3 starts for the Sox and he threw a no-hitter. I would like to see what Clay does over a bigger sample of games this year.

Right now going on talent and scouts opinions, I would take Hughes. Not because im a Yankee fan, but he's 2 years younger than Clay and does have the more polished stuff outside of the changeup.