Posted by Jay Floyd, Sat, January 21, 2012 03:55 PM | Comments: 1
2012 Top 25 Prospects, Blog, Minor Leagues, Posts, Prospecting, Threshers
The Lakewood BlueClaws’ horse became the starting pitcher for the SAL Northern Division All-Star team in 2011. In 20 starts, Buchanan went 11-5 with a 3.38 ERA and a .246 batting average against with Lakewood before being promoted for the final month of the season. As a member of the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, Buchanan posted considerable numbers through his first five outings, sporting a 3-1 record with a 3.07 ERA. A weak final start to his 2011 campaign (4 ER, 8 hits, 3 innings) largely effected his Clearwater stats.
The 6-foot-3-inch 190-pounder used his sweeping delivery and an arsenal of a fastball that registers in the low-90′s, a developing slider and a solid sinker to tally strong stats in his first full professional season. The sinking two-seamer helps him live up to the billing of being a ground ball pitcher, something that could prove valuable as he moves up the developmental ranks.
The modest Georgia native attributes his promising success to date to his coaches, other Phillies instructors as well as the defense that plays behind him during each outing.
Selected by the Phillies in the 7th round of the 2010 amateur draft, the man jokingly referred as “Buck Nasty” by his teammates made his pro debut that same year as a member of the short-season Williamsport Crosscutters. He posted a 3-1 record with a 4.21 ERA in 13 starts. His questionable control at that level (30 strike outs/23 walks in 62 innings) led to some necessary adjustments to his delivery. As Buchanan showed tendencies to get ahead of himself, rush through his motions and to over-analyze situations, Lakewood pitching coach Steve Schrenk would often stress the need for the youngster to slow things down on the mound and to pitch with a clean mental slate. That focus resulted in a much improved strike out to walk ratio (110 strike outs/43 walks in 157 1/3 innings) at two levels last year.
Growing up as a Braves fan, Buchanan was a major fan of pitchers like John Smoltz, Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine. These days, he’s most impressed by a hurler in the Phillies organization that he hopes to share a locker room with some day…Roy Halladay.
Buchanan was originally selected by the Mets in the 6th round of the 2009 draft, but chose not to sign. Instead, he transferred from Chipola Junior College in Florida to Georgia State University, where he became that school’s highest drafted baseball player ever.
Looking forward to 2012, Buchanan could benefit from a full season with Clearwater in the Florida State League, where he’ll be reunited with promoted skipper Truby and strive to impress organizational brass once again. Buchanan projects as a finesse starter at higher levels. Progress will determine how far up the ladder he goes.
_____________________________________________________
2012 Countdown thus far…
#23- Garett Claypool
#24- Cameron Rupp
#25- Austin Wright & Aaron Altherr (tie)
Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league insider. You can read more from Jay by visiting his site, PhoulBallz.com.
1 CommentsPosts: 95 buffy08210
Great article. Really increases anticipation for spring.
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Chuck A. commented on the blog post Phillies Trade Wilson Valdez to Reds 30 seconds ago · View
schmenkman, if Pat gave out an award for comment of the day, you would win today. Nice!
The Dipsy commented on the blog post Fare Thee Well, Brad Lidge 7 minutes ago · View
Fare thee well, might warrior….fare thee well.
You mean we get to hit off that tomato can this year?
The Dipsy
Lefty commented on the blog post Fare Thee Well, Brad Lidge 14 minutes ago · View
Good luck to Brad Lidge. His 2008 season will always be held in high esteem.
Chuck A. commented on the blog post Fare Thee Well, Brad Lidge 18 minutes ago · View
2008 seems like such a long time ago. It IS slipping away, for sure. Hell, even Eric Bruntlett is gone, too! I can still see Lidge dropping to the ground, Chooch running towards the mound, all while listening to Harry the K make that magical call… Anyway, I wish Lidge well in DC. This move [...]
Lefty commented on the blog post Phillies Trade Wilson Valdez to Reds 23 minutes ago · View
schmenkman- that was funny! And yes Chuck, we will all hope for the best. I will still be critical in a rational manner when I see fit, but I have never booed a Phillies player. Therefore, apocryphal or not, I won’t lose my eye sight.
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2012 Phillies SalariesCharlie Manuel
$3 million
Cliff Lee
$21.5 million
Ryan Howard
$20 million
Roy Halladay
$20 million
Chase Utley
$15 million
Jonathan Papelbon
$11 million
Jimmy Rollins
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Cole Hamels
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$6.25 million
Ty Wigginton
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Carlos Ruiz
$3.7 million
Jose Contreras
$2.5 million
Kyle Kendrick
$2.45 million
Jim Thome
$1.25 million
Laynce Nix
$1.15 million
Dontrelle Willis
$850,000
Brian Schneider
$800,000
Wilson Valdez
$560,000
John Mayberry
$414,000
Vance Worley
$405,000
Antonio Bastardo
$405,000
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