| Buck Farmer | |
|---|---|
 Farmer with the Detroit Tigers in 2015 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1991-02-20)February 20, 1991 (age 34) Conyers, Georgia, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 13, 2014, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 24–30 |
| Earned run average | 4.71 |
| Strikeouts | 486 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
George Runie "Buck" Farmer (born February 20, 1991) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theDetroit Tigers andCincinnati Reds.
Farmer attendedRockdale County High School where he was a four-year letter winner and three-year captain. During his junior year, he posted a 1.50earned run average (ERA), with a .443batting average, while he posted a 2.02 ERA, with a .468 batting average during his senior year. Farmer holds the Rockdale single-game strikeout record with 22 againstDacula High School in 2008. He was named themost valuable player (MVP) of the 2008Connie Mack World Series, and MVP of the 2008 World Wood Bat Championships. Farmer was drafted by theAtlanta Braves in the 46th round of the2009 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign and elected to playcollege baseball at theGeorgia Institute of Technology for theGeorgia Tech Yellow Jackets.[1]
Farmer began his collegiate career at Georgia Tech in 2010. During his freshman season, he posted a 5–1 record, and a 3.63 ERA in 19 appearances. He recorded his first career win on March 14, in four innings of relief againstWake Forest, holding the Deacons to no runs on just two hits. During his sophomore season, Farmer posted an 11–3 record, and a 2.82 ERA in 16 starts. He went 8–1 in conference play. The eight conference wins were the most by any pitcher in the league in 2011.[1] After the 2011 season, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theChatham Anglers of theCape Cod Baseball League.[2]
During his junior season, Farmer pitched a team-high 1062⁄3 innings, third in theAtlantic Coast Conference (ACC). He posted a 3.54 ERA, and allowed just 100 hits with 37 walks and 115 strikeouts, third-most in the ACC. He was the ACC's only pitcher to pitch a complete-game shutout with his 1–0 win overDuke, earning him the ACC Pitcher of the Week and College Sports Madness National Pitcher of the Week.[3] After the season, he was drafted by theMilwaukee Brewers in the 15th round of the2012 Major League Baseball Draft, but chose to return to Georgia Tech for his senior season.[4] During his senior season, Farmer posted 9–5 record in 17 starts, and a 2.78 ERA in 1131⁄3 innings with 122 strikeouts. He ranked second in the ACC in strikeouts, and finished with a career best in ERA,innings pitched, and strikeouts.[5] He was a semifinalist for theACC Pitcher of the Year.[6]
Farmer was drafted by theDetroit Tigers in the fifth round, with the 156th overall selection, of the2013 Major League Baseball draft and signed.[7][8]
Farmer began the 2014 season with the Single-AWest Michigan Whitecaps, where he made 18 starts, before being promoted to the Double-AErie SeaWolves, where he started two games. Between Single-A and Double-A, Farmer was 11–5, with a 2.65 ERA, allowing 101 hits over 1152⁄3 innings with 127 strikeouts and 28 walks.[9] After the season, Farmer was honored asMidwest League Pitcher of the Year.[10]
Farmer made his major league debut on August 13, 2014, in a game against thePittsburgh Pirates.[11] In his debut, he pitched five innings, allowing four runs on six hits, while striking out four, and earning a no-decision.[12] He was optioned to theTriple-AToledo Mud Hens following his debut.[13] The Tigers called up Farmer again on August 23, 2014, to start the first game of a doubleheader against theMinnesota Twins.[14] In his second major league start, Farmer pitched 11⁄3 innings, allowing seven runs on five hits, while walking two, and striking out three in a 12–4 loss.[15]
In 2015, Farmer made a spot start for the Tigers on May 28, against theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim, when he allowed seven runs on nine hits in five innings. He was recalled by the Tigers on June 24, 2015. In 12 starts with the Mud Hens, Farmer posted a 3.56 ERA with 59 strikeouts and 22 walks in 681⁄3 innings.[16]
In 2016, Farmer made the Tigers opening day roster. On April 16, 2016, Farmer was optioned to the Toledo Mud Hens.[17] Farmer was recalled to the Tigers on May 22, afterDrew VerHagen was optioned to Toledo that same day.[18] On September 21, 2016, Farmer made his first major league start of the year against theMinnesota Twins, however the game was suspended as a result of rain.[19] In addition to the one start, Farmer made 13 relief appearances for the Tigers in 2016, posting a 4.60 ERA and 27 strikeouts in29+1⁄3 innings pitched.
In 2017, Farmer began the season with theToledo Mud Hens. On May 26, Farmer received his second call-up of the year to Detroit. On May 27, Farmer started against theChicago White Sox and recorded 11 strikeouts and zero earned runs giving him his first major league win. Farmer made 11 starts for the 2017 Tigers, going 5–5 with a 6.75 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 48 innings.
With the exception of one spot start, Farmer pitched the entire 2018 season out of the Tigers bullpen. He made 66 appearances, posting a 3–4 record with a 4.15 ERA, while striking out 57 batters in69+1⁄3 innings.
Farmer again filled a bullpen role in 2019, with the exception of one spot start. He went 6–6 on the season with 73 strikeouts in67+2⁄3 innings, while posting career bests in ERA (3.72) and WHIP (1.271).
On January 10, 2020, the Tigers avoided arbitration with Farmer, agreeing on a one-year, $1.15 million contract.[20] In the 2020 season (23 games), Farmer had a 3.80 ERA with 14 strikeouts in21+1⁄3 innings.
On January 15, 2021, the Tigers and Farmer agreed to a one-year, $1.85 million contract, avoiding arbitration.[21] After pitching to a 12.66 ERA in 12 games to begin the season, Farmer wasdesignated for assignment by the Tigers on May 7.[22] He was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo on May 11.[23] Farmer would return to the big leagues on June 13, as his contract was selected by the Tigers from Toledo.[24] Between send-down and call-up, Farmer made nine appearances out of the bullpen in Toledo, pitching11+1⁄3 innings, and ending with a 3.97 ERA helped greatly by a stretch of four straight scoreless outings immediately preceding his call-up.[24][25] Farmer struggled to a 6.37 ERA in35+1⁄3 innings for the Tigers. On August 14, Farmer was designated for assignment by the Tigers.[26]On August 17, he was released by the Tigers.[27]
On August 21, 2021, Farmer signed a minor league contract with theTexas Rangers organization and was assigned to theRound Rock Express of theTriple-A West.[28] In 15 appearances for Round Rock, he logged a 2-1 record and 3.60 ERA with 15 strikeouts and eight saves over 15 innings of work. Farmer elected free agency following the season on November 7.[29]
On March 16, 2022, Farmer signed a minor league contract with theCincinnati Reds.[30] On April 4, it was announced that Farmer had made Cincinnati'sOpening Day roster.[31] He was designated for assignment on May 6.[32] On May 9, Farmer cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-ALouisville Bats.[33] Farmer elected free agency and re-signed with the Reds on a minor league contract the next day.[34]
On July 9, 2022, Farmer was selected back to the active roster by Cincinnati.[35] On August 1, Farmer earned his first career save in a 3-2 victory over theBaltimore Orioles.[36] He finished the year having appeared in 44 games for the Reds, posting a 2-2 record and 3.83 ERA with 54 strikeouts and two saves in 47.0 innings pitched. He became a free agent following the 2023 season.
On December 28, 2023, Farmer re-signed with the Reds on a one-year, $2.25 million deal.[37]
On February 16, 2025, Farmer signed a minor league contract with theAtlanta Braves.[38] In 5 appearances for the Triple-AGwinnett Stripers, he struggled to a 1-0 record and 7.71 ERA with 7 strikeouts across4+2⁄3 innings pitched. Farmer was released by the Braves organization on April 15.[39]
On May 9, 2025, Farmer signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Angels.[40] In 12 appearances for the Triple-ASalt Lake Bees, he struggled to a 1-2 record and 9.00 ERA with 11 strikeouts and two saves across 12 innings pitched. Farmer was released by the Angels organization on June 17.[41]
On July 1, 2025, Farmer signed a minor league contract with theCincinnati Reds.[42] He elected free agency on November 6.[43]
Throughout his career, Farmer relied on three pitches: a 91–95 MPHfour-seam fastball (tops out at 97 MPH), a mid-80s MPH slider and achangeup.[44] In 2015, he added atwo-seam fastball to his repertoire in order to generate more groundballs, a philosophy taught to him by his AAA pitching coach,Mike Maroth.[45]
