2011 Farmstros Pitcher of the Year Jake Buchanan was playing golf this week in his home state of North Carolina. If he rises to the challenges the 2012 baseball season in the same way he did in the 2011 season, he may not be available for much golf this time next year, at least not in North Carolina. He may be taking the mound in places like Milwaukee's Miller Park and Chicago's Wrigley Field for the Astros as they close out their 50th Anniversary season next fall.
When Buchanan started Spring Training in March, he only had half a season as a professional under his belt, and he assumed Lexington was on his itinerary for 2011. A stint with the Legends would have given Buchanan several opportunities to play in front of his friends and family as the Astros' Low A affiliate makes numerous stops in North Carolina.
However, when camp broke and the season started, Buchanan was in California wearing a Lancaster JetHawks uniform and pitching his home games in one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in baseball. Buchanan was fully aware of the challenges of pitching in Clear Channel Stadium. Yet, the North Carolina St. product, was up to the task. He focused on keeping his pitches low in the strike zone and in on left-handers.
By the end of the season, Buchanan's efforts had paid off as he had posted the best full season for a starter in the three years that the Astros have had their High A affiliate in Lancaster. The 22-year old right-hander made 25 starts in the California League posting a 3.91 ERA in 158 2/3 innings pitched. He threw Lancaster's only complete game shutout of the season-and the franchise's first such performance since May 2006- on May 1 at Inland Empire.
Buchanan's performance in California merited him a one-game call-up to Corpus Christi at the end of the season. He gave the fans at Whataburger Field(and Minute Maid Park) something to look forward to in 2012, as he allowed one run only six hits in seven innings pitched beneath the shadow of the USS Lexington.
Buchanan visited Minute Maid Park for the first time Saturday. He was honored as the Astros' Minor League Pitcher of the Year prior to that evening's game. If he builds on his performance of 2011 and meets the challenges of 2012, he may not be just a visitor the next time his name is announced in downtown Houston.
0 comments:
Post a Comment