| Matt Buschmann | |
|---|---|
 Buschman pitching for theLake Elsinore Storm in 2007 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1984-02-13)February 13, 1984 (age 41) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 10, 2016, for the Arizona Diamondbacks | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| April 16, 2016, for the Arizona Diamondbacks | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 0–0 |
| Earned run average | 2.08 |
| Strikeouts | 3 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| |
Matthew David Buschmann (born February 13, 1984) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theArizona Diamondbacks in 2016. He served as the bullpen coach for theToronto Blue Jays from 2019 to 2022.
Buschmann attendedLafayette High School inWildwood, Missouri, and thenVanderbilt University, where he playedcollege baseball for theVanderbilt Commodores primarily as arelief pitcher his first three seasons.[1] He was 5–2 with 5 saves and a 3.86 ERA as a freshman at Vanderbilt in 2003 and participated in a combinedperfect game in May,[2] then 8–1 with 2 saves and a 2.84 ERA as a sophomore in 2004. He helped lead the team to the2004 Southeastern Conference baseball tournament finals, though the club was beaten by South Carolina.[3] After the 2004 season, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theHyannis Mets of theCape Cod Baseball League.[4][5] In 2005, he was 4–3 with a 3.47 ERA and a save. In his senior year, 2006, Buschmann was 3–3 with a 4.27 ERA in 7 starts. Overall, he was 20–9 with a 3.50 ERA in 79 games (26 starts) in his four-year collegiate career. He helped lead Vanderbilt to the2006 Southeastern Conference baseball tournament, with the team losing toOle Miss in the finals. He was also named to the SEC Baseball Good Works Team that year.[6][7]
Buschmann was drafted in the 15th round, with the 453rd overall selection, of the2006 Major League Baseball Draft by theSan Diego Padres. He was signed by scout Ash Lawson, and began his professional career that year. Buschmann split the summer between the Low–AEugene Emeralds and High–ALake Elsinore Storm, going a combined 4–4 with a 3.19 ERA in 17 games (12 starts). With the Storm again in 2007, he was 12–6 with a 2.89 ERA in 28 games (25 starts). Buschmann wasCalifornia League Post-Season All-Star and earned two Pitcher of the Week honors that season. In 2008, he was 10–6 with a 2.98 ERA in 27 starts for the Double–ASan Antonio Missions and earned a spot on theTexas League's Mid- and Post-Season All-Star squads. He was, according toThe Baseball Cube, the best pitcher in the league that season.[8]
Buschmann dropped to 5–11 with a 5.66 ERA in 35 games (21 starts) in 2009, split between the Missions and Triple–APortland Beavers. In his first trial at Triple–A, he was 3–10 with a 6.18 ERA.[9] In 2010, Buschmann was 2–6 with a 5.01 ERA in 40 games (9 starts) between the Missions and Beavers. He had 94 strikeouts in91+2⁄3 innings that year, the first time in his career he averaged more than a strikeout per inning. In 2011, he was 12–6 with a 6.16 ERA in 32 games (22 starts) between San Antonio and theTucson Padres, San Diego's new Triple–A club.
On December 8, 2011, theWashington Nationals selected Buschmann in the minor league phase of theRule 5 Draft, though the team traded him to theTampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations on April 16, 2012.[10] He pitched for the Double–AMontgomery Biscuits and Triple–ADurham Bulls in 2012 and went 7–8 with a 3.98 ERA in 26 games (24 starts). In May, he earned aSouthern League Pitcher of the Week honor.[11] With Montgomery and Durham again in 2013, he went 14–5 with a 2.86 ERA in 29 games (28 starts), striking out 167 batters in160+2⁄3 innings. He became a free agent following the 2013 campaign.
On November 20, 2013, Buschmann signed a minor league contract with theOakland Athletics.[12] He went 10–7 with a 4.40 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) for the Triple–ASacramento River Cats; he also had 134 strikeouts in143+1⁄3 innings. Buschmann re-signed with Oakland on a minor league contract on November 24, 2014.
On April 2, 2015, Buschmann was traded to theTampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations. He made 13 starts for the Triple–ADurham Bulls, compiling a 6–5 record and 3.89 ERA with 63 strikeouts across78+2⁄3 innings pitched. Buschmann was released by the organization on June 19.
On June 22, 2015, Buschmann signed a minor league contract with theCincinnati Reds. He started nine games for the Triple–ALouisville Bats and went 2–5 with a 4.25 ERA and 44 strikeouts.
On August 11, 2015, Buschmann was traded to theBaltimore Orioles in exchange for cash considerations, and made one start for the Triple–ANorfolk Tides. He was 8–10 with a 4.08 ERA in 23 starts that year. In August of that year, he was a guest columnist forESPN.com, penning an article called "What baseball might look like in the year 2045."[13] Adam Sobsey ofGrantland.com wrote a feature piece on Buschmann in August, as well, asking "will the minor league strikeout king ever reach the majors?"[14] He became a free agent following the season on November 6.
On December 11, 2015, Buschmann signed a minor league contract with theArizona Diamondbacks.[15] He subsequently earned an invitation to major leaguespring training.
On April 7, 2016, Buschmann was promoted to the major leagues for the first time after pitcherKyle Drabek wasdesignated for assignment.[16] He made his major league debut on April 10, facing theChicago Cubs. Buschmann pitched a scoreless top of the ninth inning, allowing only a base hit toMunenori Kawasaki. He made three appearances for Arizona, logging a 2.08 ERA with 3 strikeouts over4+1⁄3 innings pitched. Buschmann was designated for assignment on April 29,[17] and outrighted to the Triple-AReno Aces on May 3.[18] In 25 games (23 starts) for Reno, he accumulated an 8–10 record and 5.26 ERA with 91 strikeouts across 142 innings pitched. Buschmann elected free agency following the season on November 7.[19]
On February 28, 2017, Buschmann signed a minor league contract with theToronto Blue Jays, and was assigned to the Triple-ABuffalo Bisons.[20] He did not appear in any games for the Bisons in 2017.
On December 17, 2017, Buschmann was hired by theSan Francisco Giants organization as an assistant director of player development.[21]
On November 26, 2018, Buschmann was hired by theToronto Blue Jays as their bullpen coach.[22]
Buschmann caughtAaron Judge's AL record-tying 61st home run while working the bullpen for theToronto Blue Jays.[23]
After four years in the role, on January 15, 2023, Buschmann left the Blue Jays organization to pursue other opportunities. He had also served as director of pitching development since 2020.[24]
Bushmann is currently a special advisor of player development for theChicago Cubs.
Buschmann is married to sportscasterSara Walsh.[25][26]David Price, a former teammate of Buschmann's, was the "matchmaker."[27] On February 3, 2017, Buschmann announced the birth of twins, Hutton and Brees.[28]