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Spotlight stays on Clearwater pitcher

Another week, another award for Taylor Buchholz.

Baseball America released its "Best Tools" minor-league package this week. Buchholz was listed as having the FSL's best breaking pitch.

The Clearwater right-hander has used the pitch on his way to a league-high 125 strikeouts and four complete games, two more than any other pitcher in the league. Buchholz is 10-6 with a 3.34 ERA.

Buchholz was the only area player mentioned still playing in the FSL. Jason Arnold, a Tampa right-hander the first half of the season, was named the best pitching prospect.

The "Best Tools" list was selected by league managers and is one of many accolades Buchholz has received from Baseball America. The magazine also ranked him No. 10 on its latest "Prospect Hot Sheet" list and as the No. 16 right-hander in the minors.

CLEARWATER: Outfielder Troy McNaughton hit .487 (38-for-78) in 19 games (July 8-29). With the promotions of Dunedin's Dominic Rich and Fort Myers' Josh Rabe, McNaughton has taken the lead in average (.340) and is the leader in slugging percentage (.550). ... Third baseman Juan Richardson, FSL All-Star game MVP in June, is tied for second in the league with 16 home runs.

TAMPA: Right-hander Colter Bean allowed no hits in six consecutive games, striking out 12 and earning two saves. ... After starting 4-1, right-hander Lou Witte went 0-5 with a 4.60 ERA in nine games.

DUNEDIN: Left-hander Dave Gassner pitched a four-hitter against Clearwater on July 24 and worked seven innings against Sarasota on July 30 to improve to 5-0 with a 1.48 ERA over his last seven starts. Gassner is tied for the league lead in wins with 11. ... Left-hander Matt Ford went 3-0 with a 0.83 ERA in five games. ... Second baseman Dominic Rich was leading the league with a .345 average and a .437 on-base percentage before he was promoted. ... Third baseman Simon Pond is second in the league in RBIs (84).

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