The Diamondbacks have agreed to a minor league deal with left-hander Ryan Buchter, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports (via Twitter). Buchter will receive $925K if he makes Arizona’s Major League roster.
After signing a minors deal with the Angels last winter, Buchter posted a 4.50 ERA over six relief innings in 2020 before opting for free agency again in September rather than accept an outright assignment off the Angels’ 40-man roster. Buchter caught on with the Yankees on another minor league deal but didn’t see any action with the team, hitting the open market again after the season.
Counting the D’Backs, Buchter has now been a member of 10 different organizations since being drafted in the 33rd round by the Nationals in 2005, and he has put together a solid MLB track record despite this journeyman resume. Buchter has a 2.90 ERA over 220 career innings with the Braves, Padres, Royals, Athletics, and Angels, though his advanced metrics (26.8K%, 15.5K-BB%, 4.06 SIERA) aren’t as impressive.
Buchter has pretty even career splits against both left-handed (.620 OPS) and right-handed (.695 OPS) batters, and he’ll now have an opportunity to win a job in an Arizona bullpen that is short on southpaws. Alex Young might end up being used in the starting rotation or potentially as a swingman, leaving Travis Bergen and Taylor Guilbeau as the only other lefty relief options on the 40-man roster.
Kind of surprising he hasn’t been able to get major league deals the last couple of years. He’s one of the more consistent lefty relievers for five years now.
facts
You could easily just not have typed this. It isn’t always necessary for you to comment, especially when you have nothing. Which is most of the time.
That is exactly the correct response to everything you type, lolzmets. Everything. You’re the worst troll this site has seen in many months and everyone knows it. And you’re such a narcissist you don’t even know it.
I remember the days when trolls were kicked off this site
I agree. I liked what I saw of him with the Angels last year and was disappointed when they DFAd him. Every org needs several of these service types. My money’s on him making the big club.
At worst, he can be used as comedy relief while he makes some more silly interview videos in Spring Training.
They signed Herr Buchter.
Looking at his career numbers he has pitched very well over his career. A lot of teams passed on him especially my Orioles.
Huh. A lefty reliever with an ERA+ of 145 who is durable enough to average 68 appearances a year can’t get a major league deal. Can he not get righties out and the 3 batter minimum will be tough on him? Are GM’s unable to pronounce \BUCK-ter\? I don’t get it.
Great low risk singing.