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Greenville Drive

Clay Buchholz and Jeff Natale Awarded By Red Sox

October 2, 2006 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - The Boston Red Sox have announced their end-of-season Minor League awards and two former Drive players have been given the organization's top honors. Starting pitcher Clay Buchholz was named Minor League Pitcher of the Year and second baseman/designated hitter Jeff Natale was named Offensive Player of the Year.

Clay Buchholz, the 42nd overall selection by the Red Sox in 2005, started 21 games for the Drive in which he posted a 9-4 record with a 2.62 ERA before being promoted to the Wilmington BlueRocks on August 14th. The Lumberton, TX native ranked first in the entire Red Sox organization in strikeouts (140) and wins (11), while placing third in earned run average (2.42).

After his late season promotion to Wilmington, Buchholz guided the BlueRocks to their only victory in the Carolina League playoffs versus the Frederick Keys. On September 6th the right-hander surrendered just one run on three hits in six innings, while striking out a career-high 10 batters en route to a 3-1 victory.

A 32nd round selection in the 2005 draft, second baseman Jeff Natale became part of Greenville Drive history as he was the first player to hit a home run at West End Field. The Trinity College (CT) alum batted .343 with 10 homers and 41 RBI in 50 games for Greenville before being promoted to Wilmington on May 31st.

The 24-year-old finished the 2006 season with a .304 batting average with 17 home runs and 87 RBI in 132 games with Boston's two Single-A clubs. Natale led all Red Sox farmhands with 136 hits, 87 RBI, 103 walks, and a .446 on-base percentage and finished second with 84 runs.

"We are proud of both Clay and Jeff for their accomplishments while with the Drive and for the entire season," stated Drive General Manager Mike deMaine. "Having two players of their caliber spend a significant portion of the season in Greenville was just a thrill for the fans."

This is the second year that the Red Sox have handed out organizational hardware. Buchholz and Natale join some excellent company as last year's recipients, Jon Lester (Pitcher of the Year) and Dustin Pedroia (Offensive Player of the Year), are currently on the Red Sox active roster.

Season tickets and partial plans for the 2007 at West End Field, "Ballpark of the Year," are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the Drive at (864) 240-4500.

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