Alan Busenitz

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Alan Busenitz

|image = A busenitz20190425.jpg

|image_size = 250

|caption = Busenitz with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles

|team = Cincinnati Reds

|number =

|position = Pitcher

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|8|22}}

|birth_place = Watkinsville, Georgia, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = June 17

|debutyear = 2017

|debutteam = Minnesota Twins

|debut2league = NPB

|debut2date = May 15

|debut2year = 2019

|debut2team = Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2024 season

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 5–2

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 4.90

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 57

|stat2league = NPB

|stat2year = 2022 season

|stat21label = Win–loss record

|stat21value = 9-8

|stat22label = Earned run average

|stat22value = 2.83

|stat23label = Strikeouts

|stat23value = 125

|stat24label = Saves

|stat24value = 18

|teams =

Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2017}}–{{mlby|2018}})
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles ({{npby|2019}}–{{npby|2022}})
Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|2023}}–{{mlby|2024}})

}}

Alan Paul Busenitz (born August 22, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.

Career

=Los Angeles Angels=

Busenitz attended Athens Christian School in Athens, Georgia,{{cite web |url=http://onlineathens.com/stories/050407/prepstars_20070504034.shtml |title=Hangin' with: Athens Christian's Alan Busenitz |publisher=Online Athens |date=May 4, 2007 |access-date=May 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104140446/http://onlineathens.com/stories/050407/prepstars_20070504034.shtml |archive-date=2012-01-04 |url-status=dead}} and Kennesaw State University, where he played college baseball for the Kennesaw State Owls.{{cite web|url=http://www.mdjonline.com/sports/offense-a-plus-for-ksu-roster/article_e7fdfbe3-0655-51a8-a727-abc08b807f42.html |title=Offense a plus for KSU roster | Sports |publisher=mdjonline.com |date=February 17, 2012 |access-date=May 31, 2017}} The Los Angeles Angels selected him in the 25th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.pe.com/2015/08/01/cal-league-development-even-more-of-a-focus-late-in-season/ |title=CAL LEAGUE: Development even more of a focus late in season – Press Enterprise |publisher=Pe.com |date=August 1, 2015 |access-date=May 31, 2017}} He made his professional debut with the rookie ball Orem Owlz, logging a 5–2 record and 2.33 ERA in 21 appearances. The next year, Busenitz played for the Single-A Burlington Bees, pitching to a 4–5 record and 1.94 ERA in 49 games. In 2015, the Angels tried to use Busenitz as a starting pitcher with the Double-A Arkansas Travelers, but returned to using him as a relief pitcher with the High-A Inland Empire 66ers after he struggled to a 6.75 ERA in 16 contests.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2015/07/29/alan-busenitz-back-in-bullpen-with-66ers-after-experimenting-as-a-starter-in-double-a/|title=Alan Busenitz back in bullpen with 66ers after experimenting as a starter in Double-A – Orange County Register|website=ocregister.com|date=29 July 2015|access-date=June 2, 2017}} In 2016, the Angels promoted Busenitz to the Salt Lake Bees of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2016/07/20/hard-throwing-salt-lake-relief-pitcher-alan-busenitz-has-the-mentality-to-go-with-his-99-mph-fastball/|title=Hard-throwing Salt Lake relief pitcher Alan Busenitz has the mentality to go with his 99-mph fastball – Orange County Register|website=ocregister.com|date=20 July 2016|access-date=June 2, 2017}} In 10 games for Salt Lake, Busenitz struggled to a 7.62 ERA, and also logged a 1.93 ERA in 24 appearances for Arkansas.

=Minnesota Twins=

On August 1, 2016, The Angels traded Busenitz to the Minnesota Twins alongside Hector Santiago in exchange for Alex Meyer and Ricky Nolasco.{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/08/01/reports-toronto-blue-jays-still-interested-minnesota-twins-ervin-santana/87921154/ |title=Minnesota Twins acquire Hector Santiago, Alan Busenitz from Los Angeles Angels |publisher=Azcentral.com |date=August 1, 2016 |access-date=May 31, 2017}} Busenitz finished the year with the Rochester Red Wings of the Triple-A International League and the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts, posting a 2–0 record with 10 strikeouts.

Busenitz began the 2017 season with Rochester, and pitched to a 1.25 earned run average in his first {{frac|29|1|3}} innings pitched of the season. On June 17, 2017, he was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.{{Cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/north/story/minnesota-twins-alan-busenitz-adam-wilk-061717|title = Twins select contract of RHP Busenitz, designate Wilk for assignment|date = 17 June 2017}} He made his MLB debut that day, pitching 2.0 innings of 1-run ball against the Cleveland Indians. He finished his rookie season with a neat 1.99 ERA in 31.2 innings pitched across 28 contests. In 2018, Busenitz could not replicate his success from the previous year, struggling to a 4–1 record and 7.82 ERA in 23 major league appearances. He was granted his unconditional release on November 20, 2018, so he could sign with a team in Nippon Professional Baseball.

=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles=

On November 20, 2018, Busenitz signed with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).{{Cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/twins-add-nick-gordon-luis-arraez-and-lamonte-wade-to-40-man-roster/500979311/|title=Twins trade Nick Anderson, release Alan Busenitz|website=Star Tribune}} In his first NPB season, Busenitz logged a 4–3 record and stellar 1.94 ERA in 54 appearances for Rakuten. On December 3, 2019, Busenitz signed a 1-year extension to remain with the Eagles.{{ cite web | url=https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/news/detail/00002635.html | title=外国人選手の契約更新に関して | work=東北楽天ゴールデンイーグルス公式サイト | language=ja | date=December 3, 2019 | access-date=December 22, 2019 }} By 2022, Busenitz had pitched in 165 games for the Eagles, recording a 9–8 record and 2.83 ERA in {{fraction|155|2|3}} innings pitched.

=Cincinnati Reds=

On December 27, 2022, Busenitz signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Cincinnati Reds.{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/Reds/status/1607804488919797760|title=Cincinnati Reds on Twitter|newspaper=Twitter|access-date=2022-12-27}} He was assigned to the Triple-A Louisville Bats to begin the 2023 season, where he recorded a 1.80 ERA with 13 strikeouts and 3 saves across 15 appearances. On May 14, 2023, Busenitz's contract was selected to the active roster.{{cite web|title=Reds' Alan Busenitz: Contract selected from Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-alan-busenitz-contract-selected-from-triple-a/|access-date=2023-05-14|website=cbssports.com|date=May 14, 2023 |language=en}} In 5 games for Cincinnati, he registered a 3.60 ERA with 3 strikeouts in 5 innings of work. On September 1, Busenitz was designated for assignment.{{Cite web|title=Reds' Alan Busenitz: Designated for assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-alan-busenitz-designated-for-assignment/amp/|access-date=September 1, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A Louisville on September 4.{{Cite web|title=Reds' Alan Busenitz: Outrighted to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-alan-busenitz-outrighted-to-triple-a/amp/|access-date=September 8, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On October 1, the Reds selected Busenitz back to the major league roster.{{Cite web|title=Reds Select Alan Busenitz|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/10/reds-select-alan-busenitz.html|access-date=October 1, 2023|website=thebaseballcube.com|date=October 2023 |language=en}} He struck out two in two perfect innings against the St. Louis Cardinals in Cincinnati's final game of the year.{{Cite web|title=Reds' Alan Busenitz: Added to 40-man roster|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-alan-busenitz-added-to-40-man-roster/|access-date=October 10, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=October 3, 2023 |language=en}} On October 9, Busenitz was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Louisville.{{Cite web|title=Reds' Alan Busenitz: Removed from 40-man roster|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-alan-busenitz-removed-from-40-man-roster/|access-date=October 10, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=October 9, 2023 |language=en}} He elected free agency on October 12.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-10-12 | title=Transactions }}

On January 3, 2024, Busenitz re–signed with the Reds organization on a minor league contract.{{Cite web|title=Reds add more pitching depth with another signing|url=https://www.redlegnation.com/2024/01/05/cincinnati-reds-add-more-pitching-depth-with-another-signing/|access-date=January 6, 2024|website=redlegnation.com|date=January 5, 2024 |language=en}} In 40 games for Louisville, he compiled a 5–2 record and 3.93 ERA with 51 strikeouts over 55 innings pitched. On August 23, the Reds selected Busenitz's contract, adding him to their active roster.{{Cite web|title=Reds Place Andrew Abbott On Injured List Due To Shoulder Strain|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/reds-place-andrew-abbott-on-injured-list-due-to-shoulder-strain.html|access-date=August 23, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He allowed 4 runs (3 earned) in one inning pitched and was designated for assignment the following day.{{Cite web|title=Reds Select Casey Kelly|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/reds-select-casey-kelly.html|access-date=August 24, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} Busenitz cleared waivers and was sent outright to Louisville on August 29.{{Cite web|title=Reds Outright Alan Busenitz|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/reds-outright-alan-busenitz-2.html|access-date=August 29, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} On September 20, Busenitz was added back to the major league roster.{{Cite web|title=Reds Select Alan Busenitz|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/09/reds-select-alan-busenitz-2.html|access-date=September 20, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} After two more outings, he was designated for assignment on September 22.{{Cite web|title=Reds Activate Hunter Greene, DFA Alan Busenitz|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/09/reds-activate-hunter-greene-dfa-alan-busenitz.html|access-date=September 22, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} Busenitz cleared waivers and was sent outright to Louisville on September 24.{{Cite web|title=Reds Outright Alan Busenitz|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/09/reds-outright-alan-busenitz-nick-martini.html|access-date=October 2, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=September 26, 2024 |language=en}} On October 28, Buesnitz re-signed with the Reds on a minor league contract for the 2025 season.{{cite web | url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-transactions-oct-1-29-2024/ | title=Minor League Transactions: Oct. 1–29, 2024 | date=October 30, 2024 }}