Eight years in the minors without so much as a cup of big-league coffee hasn’t done anything to dampen the enthusiasm of left-hander Ryan Buchter, a New Jersey guy with longish hair pulled behind his ears and a hopeful, unassuming attitude about this Braves spring training.
Fact is, the hard-throwing reliever had such a good season at Triple-A Gwinnett that he was added to the 40-man roster during the winter and is a candidate for a spot in the major league bullpen this year — perhaps as soon as opening day.
“To me it doesn’t feel any different,” he said of his eighth spring training and second in big-league camp. “I’m just trying to have fun, and that’s what it’s about. Joke around, have fun, and when you come to the game, then you lock in.”
At Gwinnett he totaled 103 strikeouts in 62 innings last season while compiling a 2.76 ERA in 51 appearances. He limited lefty hitters to a .124 average and a .466 OPS in 2013, and right-handed hitters have a .200 average and .655 OPS against him over the past three seasons.
“He’s a different kind of lefty,” said outfielder Todd Cunningham, a Gwinnett teammate in 2013. “Most lefties have all this (off-speed pitches). He has a hard cutter that just rides it in on guys. He has that good arm angle, big body, stays behind it and it’s firm. It’s one of those fastballs that guys just swing and miss.”
Buchter is 6 feet 4 and 245 pounds and features a mid-90 mph fastball that he compliments with curveballs and occasional sliders. His biggest issue has been walks — 51 last season and 250 to go with 458 strikeouts in 366 career minor league innings in the Nationals, Cubs and Braves organizations.
He made progress with his command at times last season and in winter ball in Mexico, where he posted a 0.69 ERA with 26 strikeouts and eight walks in 13 innings.
“If he keeps his stuff in the (strike) zone, it’s nasty,” said utility player Tyler Pastornicky, another Gwinnett teammate, who believes Buchter’s repertoire can be effective at the next level. “Absolutely. He’s got really good stuff. A good, heavy fastball that gets on you. And he’s not scared. He goes out there, and he competes.”
Being on the 40-man roster can be a difference-maker in competitions for spots on the major league team, but Buchter won’t let that affect his thinking.
“You still have to put yourself in that spot,” he said. “That’s the important part. Whether it happens or it doesn’t, I can’t let it affect me. I’ve got to continue to keep going, just like I have.”
He’s spent a lot of time in the minors, mostly Double-A or lower, but said he hasn’t been discouraged or wondered if his opportunity had passed.
“I’ve always felt like I’ve proven myself and done well coming from the bottom,” he said. “I don’t feel old by any means.”
