On Monday afternoon, David Buchanan sent his friends a Snapchat that he had waited his whole life to send. Well before the photo-messaging application existed, Buchanan had been working toward a goal, and now that he had achieved it, he shared the news with his friends for a quick 10 seconds.
“I sent them a Snapchat of me pulling up to the park, just saying, ‘Finally pulling up to play instead of watch,’” Buchanan said.
The 25-year-old Fayette County High graduate and former Georgia State pitcher entered Turner Field through the visiting players entrance. The rookie right-hander was called up to the Phillies from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on May 24. He was the club’s seventh-round draft pick in 2010.
“As many (Braves) games as I’ve been to, like just looking at the stands at how many times I’ve sat over there or sat over there, it’s just weird that I’m here and that I’m playing against (the Braves) with the Phillies,” Buchanan said. “It’s such a cool experience since I’ve been coming here since I was a kid and now I’m playing here.”
Even though Buchanan won’t face the Braves this trip — his next scheduled start is Thursday in St. Louis — he said he couldn’t estimate the number of family and friends who have come out during the series, which ends Wednesday with a 12:10 p.m. game.
“To be able to have everyone come see me during batting practice and actually see me on the field, it’s kind of a surreal experience. It’s a blessing,” Buchanan said.
Buchanan is 2-3 (5.97 ERA) is five starts, having yielded seven home runs in 28 2/3 innings.
“I definitely have a lot of stuff to improve on,” he said. “One thing I’ve been working on with the pitching coach is trying to get consistent with my fastball locations.”
Buchanan’s coach at Georgia State, Greg Frady, has seen him pitch for years, but when Buchanan got the call to the majors, Frady immediately booked a flight to Philadelphia. Buchanan is the first Georgia State baseball player to make it to the big leagues, and Frady said his debut was not only a proud moment for him and his family but also for the GSU community.
“When one of your own makes it, it sets precedence,” Frady said. “David has inspired the next generation of our players.”
With all the attention the past three weeks in majors has brought him, Buchanan said this trip home has helped him refocus on his priorities.
“Not trying to do too much, kind of staying true to myself,” he said. “I feel like I’ve kind of gotten away from that, just trying to do too much, being in the big leagues trying to get these guys out. But as long as I stay true to myself and continue to working on what I’m doing, I think I’ll be OK.”
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