Jake Buchanan

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Jake Buchanan

|image = Jake Buchanan Astros cropped.jpg

|caption = Buchanan with the Houston Astros

|position = Pitcher

|team =

|number =

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|9|24}}

|birth_place = Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = June 21

|debutyear = 2014

|debutteam = Houston Astros

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate = June 17

|finalyear = 2017

|finalteam = Cincinnati Reds

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 2–3

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 4.73

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 33

|teams=

Houston Astros ({{mlby|2014}}–{{mlby|2015}})
Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|2016}})
Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|2017}})

}}

Jake Thomas Buchanan (born September 24, 1989) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, and Cincinnati Reds.

Career

=Amateur=

Buchanan attended North Gaston High School in Dallas, North Carolina. He then enrolled at North Carolina State University (NC State), where he played college baseball for the NC State Wolfpack. By his junior year at NC State, Buchanan emerged as the team's best pitcher.{{cite web |last=Alexander |first=Chip |date=2010-06-03 |title=Pitching ace Buchanan is Pack's rock |url=http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/06/03/512802/buchanan-packs-rock.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605152843/http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/06/03/512802/buchanan-packs-rock.html |archive-date=2010-06-05 |website=News & Observer}} In 2009, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web |author= |date= |title=Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League |url=http://capecodbaseball.org.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/2012website/archives/Current%20Year/All_Time_MLB_CCBL_Alumni.pdf |accessdate=September 25, 2019 |website=Cape Cod Baseball}}{{cite web |title=2009 Cotuit Kettleers |url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/summer_stats/2009~Cotuit_Kettleers~CapeCod/ |accessdate=2025-02-15 |website=The Baseball Cube}}

=Houston Astros=

The Houston Astros selected Buchanan in the eighth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft.{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Brian T. |date=11 June 2013 |title=Hooks' Jake Buchanan, David Martinez give Astros two more promising young arms |url=http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2013/06/10/hooks-jake-buchanan-david-martinez-give-astros-two-more-promising-young-arms/#10991101=0&12997103=0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618234453/http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2013/06/10/hooks-jake-buchanan-david-martinez-give-astros-two-more-promising-young-arms/#10991101=0&12997103=0 |archive-date=2013-06-18 |website=Ultimate Astros}} In 2011, Buchanan pitched for the Lancaster JetHawks of the High–A California League and the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Double–A Texas League. Pitching to a 3.80 earned run average, the Astros named Buchanan their Minor League Pitcher of the Year.{{Cite web |date=2011-09-16 |title=Jake Buchanan Named Astros Minor League Pitcher of the Year |url=https://gopack.com/news/2011/9/16/Jake_Buchanan_Named_Astros_Minor_League_Pitcher_of_the_Year?print=true |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521181222/http://www.gopack.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/091611aaa.html |archive-date=2014-05-21 |access-date=2014-05-21 |website=NC State University Official Athletic Site}}

In 2012, 5.25 ERA with Corpus Christi and the Oklahoma City RedHawks of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League. Assigned to Corpus Christi to start the 2013 season, Buchanan led the Texas League in ERA and walks plus hits per innings pitched during the first half of the season, and the Astros promoted him to Oklahoma City after he participated in the Texas League All-Star Game.{{cite web |last=Ellis |first=Kevin |date=2013-06-24 |title=North Gaston product one call away from major leagues |url=https://www.gastongazette.com/story/sports/mlb/2013/06/24/north-gaston-product-one-call/34377418007/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Gaston Gazette}} Buchanan was assigned to Oklahoma City to start the 2014 season.{{cite web |last=Jackson |first=Josh |date=2014-05-21 |title=Buchanan tosses shutout for RedHawks |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-76178698 |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=MiLB.com}}

He made his MLB debut on June 21, 2014. Buchanan was designated for assignment by Astros on September 1, 2015, to make room for Joe Thatcher on the 40 man roster, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies] on September 6.

He was released on March 31, 2016.

=Chicago Cubs=

On April 3, 2016, Buchanan signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs. He was promoted to the major-league roster from the Triple-A Iowa Cubs when rosters expanded on September 1.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/18636/2016/09/01/cubs-add-joe-smith-jake-buchanan-chris-coghlan-pedro-strop-suffers-setback/ |title=Cubs add Joe Smith, Jake Buchanan, Chris Coghlan; Pedro Strop suffers setback |first=Lauren |last=Comitor |website=The Athletic |date=September 1, 2016 |access-date=September 1, 2016}} Buchanan appeared in two games for the Cubs to finish 2016, and had a 1–0 record with a 1.50 ERA. The Cubs eventually won the 2016 World Series, giving Buchanan his first championship title, although he did not play in the postseason.{{cite web |last1=Bastian |first1=Jordan |last2=Muskat |first2=Carrie |title=Chicago Cubs win 2016 World Series |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/chicago-cubs-win-2016-world-series-c207938228 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130223630/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/207938228/chicago-cubs-win-2016-world-series/ |archive-date=November 30, 2017 |accessdate=2025-02-15 |website=MLB.com}} He was designated for assignment on May 22, 2017.

=Cincinnati Reds=

On May 25, 2017, Buchanan was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/05/reds-claim-jake-buchanan-waivers-cubs-peter-obrien-dfa.html|title=Reds Claim Jake Buchanan, Designate Peter O'Brien|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=May 25, 2017|accessdate=May 25, 2017}} On June 27, Buchanan was designated for assignment by the Reds. On June 29, Buchanan was outrighted to the minor leagues but rejected the assignment and became a free agent.

=Arizona Diamondbacks=

On July 6, 2017, Buchanan signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He became a free agent at the end of the season, and signed another minor league contract with the Diamondbacks on December 26.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/12/diamondbacks-re-sign-jake-buchann.html|title=Diamondbacks Re-Sign Jake Buchanan|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=December 26, 2017|accessdate=December 27, 2017}} In 27 games (26 starts) for the Triple–A Reno Aces, he posted an 11–9 record and 5.17 ERA with 86 strikeouts across {{fraction|156|2|3}} innings pitched. Buchanan elected free agency following the season on November 3, 2018.{{Cite web |last=Eddy |first=Matt |date=November 6, 2018 |title=Minor League Free Agents 2018 |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2018/ |access-date=April 30, 2024 |website=Baseball America |language=en}}

=Oakland Athletics=

On November 12, 2018, Buchanan signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics.{{Cite web |last=Todd |first=Jeff |date=2018-11-14 |title=Minor-League Pitching Signings: 11/14/18 |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/11/minor-league-pitching-signings-111418.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} He was released on July 30, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Lowe |first=Kegan |date=2019-08-12 |title=Minor League Transactions |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-transactions-july-23-aug-5-2019/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Baseball America |language=en-US}}

=Washington Nationals=

On August 23, 2019, Buchanan signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.{{Cite web |last=Todd |first=Jeff |date=2019-08-23 |title=Nationals To Sign Jake Buchanan |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/08/nationals-to-sign-jake-buchanan.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} In 4 appearances for the Triple–A Fresno Grizzlies, he struggled to a 9.64 ERA with 3 strikeouts over {{fraction|4|2|3}} innings pitched. Buchanan elected free agency after the season on November 4.{{Cite web |last=Eddy |first=Matt |date=2019-11-07 |title=Minor League Free Agents 2019 |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2019/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Baseball America |language=en-US}}

=High Point Rockers=

On February 28, 2020, Buchanan signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{cite web| url = https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/| title = Atlantic League Professional Baseball: Transactions}} He did not play a game for the team because of the cancellation of the ALPB season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and became a free agent after the year.

=Los Angeles Angels=

On March 2, 2021, Buchanan signed with the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{cite tweet |number=1367519783286145025 |user=gohoneyhunters |title=JAKE BUCHANAN: PITCHER ✔️played professionally for 10 seasons ✔️was drafted by the Houston Astros in 2010 ✔️made major league debut in 2014 ✔️pitched in the majors for the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, and Cincinnati Reds. Welcome to the team, Jake! #gohoneyhunters #ALPB |date=4 March 2021 |access-date=2025-02-15}} However, on May 13, before the ALPB season began, Buchanan signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels.{{cite web| url = http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/transactions/#month=5&year=2021| title = Major League Baseball Transactions {{!}} MLB.com}} He made 16 appearances (6 starts) for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, registering a 3–4 record and 7.12 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 43.0 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 7, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Eddy |first=Matt |date=2021-11-09 |title=2021-22 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2021-22-minor-league-free-agents-for-all-30-mlb-teams/?amphtml |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Baseball America |language=en-US}}

Personal life

Buchanan married former NC State swimmer Chelsa Messinger on January 25, 2014.{{cite news |date=February 20, 2014 |title=Messinger-Buchanan wedding |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2014/02/21/messinger-buchanan-wedding/5652045/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/78c0UuD2k?url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2014/02/21/messinger-buchanan-wedding/5652045/ |archivedate=May 24, 2019 |accessdate=May 24, 2019 |work=The Tennessean}} The two met in college when they were both student athletes at NC State.