Skip to main content

Buchanan continues to shine, wins IronPigs opener

David Buchanan with Reading in 2013, Image- Jay Floyd
Righty pitcher David Buchanan, building on his excellent spring season with the Phillies, put forth a great effort to open the Triple-A schedule with Lehigh Valley on Thursday night, leading his team to victory.

Taking the mound as the IronPigs' opening day starter against Boston affiliate Pawtucket, the 24-year-old tossed six scoreless innings while allowing two hits, two walks and notching five strike outs.

Buchanan has displayed considerable improvement over the past year and received positive feedback from the likes of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, A.J. Burnett and Kyle Kendrick while pitching with the big league team in spring training.

Coaches and veterans alike were pleased with his pace, the way he attacks the strike zone and his manner of challenging opposing batters. The uplifting words had a lasting impact on the Georgia native and he's experienced a boost in confidence because of it.

"It's something to build off of," Buchanan said earlier this week. "You know, when you hear that from older guys, especially from guys at the top level, that's something that you really take to heart. So, I'm going to continue to thrive off of the confidence that they gave me and the advice and incorporate it all and, hopefully, it comes out to success."

The six-foot-three 200-pounder, who went 4-2 with a 3.00 ERA in six starts for the IronPigs last year to wrap up his season, says adjustments to the grips on his cutter and curve ball have refined his arsenal and resulted in improved output on the mound.

In Grapefruit League competition, the Phils' 7th round pick from 2010 posted a 1-1 record with a 2.25 ERA and a .146 batting average against while striking out 11 and walking two in 12 innings pitched. His consistent efforts through five appearances (four starts) had his name in the mix to be included in the Phillies' rotation this season.

"Just knowing that I was that close and being the last guy invited and being that close to making the team out of camp, that really lifted my spirits and it was a pleasure to be down there for that long. I have no regrets," Buchanan stated.

Right-handers Mike Nesseth and Luis Garcia as well as left-hander Jeremy Horst each added a scoreless/hitless frame for the 'Pigs to lock down Buchanan's first win of the season, a 4-0 victory over the PawSox in Rhode Island.

First baseman Jim Murphy led the Lehigh Valley offense with three hits including a double and a triple while driving in a run. Additionally, Buchanan's battery mate Cameron Rupp launched a solo homer for the IronPigs.

More Phils minors opening day notes...

The Double-A Reading Fightins were no-hit in a rain shortened affair at home against the Boston affiliate Portland Sea Dogs. Lefty Henry Owens notched nine strike outs and walked two through six innings. Figthins left-hander Jesse Biddle took the loss, allowing nine hits and four earned runs while walking two and striking out five in 3 1/3 innings.

The Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers were shutout, dropping their opener 7-0 to the Dunedin Blue Jays. In a rehab outing, Phils reliever Mike Adams tossed a scoreless frame, allowing a hit while striking out two. Adams is recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.

The Class A Lakewood BlueClaws won their opener in Savannah against the Mets affiliate Sand Gnats. Larry Greene Jr. carried the offense, lacing three hits, including a triple, and driving in four runs. New Jersey native Mark Leiter Jr. earned the win, tossing five shutout inning.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Diekman a Late Addition to Mesa AFL Roster

On Wednesday, Phillies lefty pitching prospect Jacob Diekman made his Arizona Fall League debut. Diekman, who was drafted in the 30th round of the 2007 amateur draft, was assigned to Mesa late, in order to increase his 2010 innings total, according to Mesa hitting coach Mark Parent, who managed Diekman in Lakewood this past season. Diekman, 23, posted a 2-0 record with 1.90 ERA in 21 games with Class A Lakewood before being promoted to High-A Clearwater on June 24th. In 24 games with the Threshers, Diekman went 0-2 with a 3.66 ERA. Combined, Diekman tossed 55 2/3 innings and held opponents to a .187 batting average against at two levels in 2010. However, after not pitching in an official game since he threw a shutout inning to wrap up the Clearwater season on September 5th, Diekman was unable to record an out as all seven batters he faced reached base, six with hits, one on an error. Diekman was charged with 5 earned runs in the outing. Diekman had spent time at instructional ball from

2022 Phillies Top Prospects Countdown: #24 RHP Cristian Hernandez

Venezuelan born right-hander Cristian Hernandez has begun to earn recognition as one of the Phillies most promising pitching prospects. Signed as a 16-year-old in 2017 for a reported $120,000, Hernandez got his professional career started the following summer as a starter for the Phillies' Red Dominican Summer League club.  There, in 13 starts, Hernandez tallied a 2-3 record with 2.57 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP as well as a 7.0 K/9 mark. An injury sidelined Hernandez in 2019 and the 2020 season was cancelled due to the global pandemic. In 2021, Hernandez saw his first regular season action in the United States, starting his season in Florida Complex League.  After two appearances there, the six-foot-three 185-pounder was promoted to the Class A Clearwater Threshers.  In 20 combined outings (17 starts), Hernandez notched a 2-7 record with a 3.57 ERA, a .228 batting average against and an 11.2 K/9 mark. Projectability is something that baseball folks like about Hernandez.  His size, consistent

Who is Your Favorite Willie 'Mays' Hayes?

PhoulBallz.com is wondering which individual who has portrayed Willie "Mays" Hayes is the favorite of the public. Hayes, of course, is the character made famous in the Major League motion picture series. In Major League , Willie "Mays" Hayes was portrayed by budding Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes, who would go on to action movie superstardom. Snipes has starred in major motion pictures like the Blade trilogy, Passenger 57 , Undisputed and many more. Snipes remains an impact Hollywood actor, despite legal troubles related to income tax evasion. Snipes was replaced for the sequel, Major League II when his busy career, and possibly the film's budget, would not allow him to return, by Omar Epps. Another budding actor, Epps had previously worked with director David S. Ward, on the film The Program , and landed the role of Hayes, who had become a Hollywood action star over the off-season that occured between the two films. Epps' career portraying athletes rolle