Matt Buschmann

{{short description|American baseball player & coach (born 1984)}}

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Matt Buschmann

| image = Matt Buschmann 2007.jpg

| caption = Buschman pitching for the Lake Elsinore Storm in 2007

| team =

| number =

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|2|13}}

| birth_place = St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = April 10

| debutyear = 2016

| debutteam = Arizona Diamondbacks

| finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = April 16

| finalyear = 2016

| finalteam = Arizona Diamondbacks

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 0–0

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 2.08

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 3

| teams =

;As player

Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|2016}})

;As coach

Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2019}}–{{mlby|2022}})

}}

Matthew David Buschmann (born February 13, 1984) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2016. He served as the bullpen coach for the Toronto Blue Jays from 2019 to 2022.

Amateur career

Buschmann attended Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Missouri, and then Vanderbilt University, where he played college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores primarily as a relief pitcher his first three seasons.{{cite web |title=Matt Buschmann |date=May 4, 2019 |url=https://vucommodores.com/sports/baseball/roster/season/2004-05/player/matt-buschmann/ |publisher=Vanderbilt University |access-date=2 November 2021}} He was 5–2 with 5 saves and a 3.86 ERA as a freshman at Vanderbilt in 2003 and participated in a combined perfect game in May,{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1696&dat=20030506&id=FfMaAAAAIBAJ&pg=3993,743700&hl=en|title=Daily News - Google News Archive Search|access-date=April 10, 2016}} then 8–1 with 2 saves and a 2.84 ERA as a sophomore in 2004. He helped lead the team to the 2004 Southeastern Conference baseball tournament finals, though the club was beaten by South Carolina.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=20040529&id=rtAdAAAAIBAJ&pg=5737,6665233&hl=en|title=The Tuscaloosa News - Google News Archive Search|access-date=April 10, 2016}} After the 2004 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Hyannis Mets of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web|author=John Garner |url=http://www.capecodbaseball.org/news/index.html?article_id=577 |title=This Week in the Cape League |publisher=capecodbaseball.org |date=July 12, 2004 |access-date=May 6, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/college/summer/stats.asp?Y=2004&T=Hyannis_Mets |title=2004 Hyannis Mets |publisher=thebaseballcube.com |accessdate=September 23, 2021}} 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 the 2006 Southeastern Conference baseball tournament, with the team losing to Ole Miss in the finals. He was also named to the SEC Baseball Good Works Team that year.{{cite web|url=http://www.vucommodores.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/052206aaa.html|title=Buschmann, Flaherty Earn SEC Honors|access-date=April 10, 2016}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1ENfBgAAQBAJ&q=%22Buschmann%22&pg=PT126|title=Tales from the Vanderbilt Commodores|access-date=April 10, 2016|isbn=9781613217504|last1=Lee|first1=Chris|date=October 14, 2014|publisher=Sports }}

Professional career

=San Diego Padres=

Buschmann was drafted in the 15th round, with the 453rd overall selection, of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft by the San Diego Padres. He was signed by scout Ash Lawson, and began his professional career that year. Buschmann split the summer between the Low–A Eugene Emeralds and High–A Lake 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 was California 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–A San Antonio Missions and earned a spot on the Texas League's Mid- and Post-Season All-Star squads. He was, according to The Baseball Cube, the best pitcher in the league that season.[http://www.thebaseballcube.com/seasons/review.asp?Y=2008&L=Tex&Page=Pitchers TBC Rankings]

Buschmann dropped to 5–11 with a 5.66 ERA in 35 games (21 starts) in 2009, split between the Missions and Triple–A Portland Beavers. In his first trial at Triple–A, he was 3–10 with a 6.18 ERA.{{cite web|url=http://friarsonbase.com/2010/05/08/matt-buschmann-promoted-to-aaa-continues-to-impress/|title=Matt Buschmann Promoted to AAA, Continues To Impress|work=Friars on Base|access-date=April 10, 2016|date=May 8, 2010}} 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 in {{fraction|91|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 the Tucson Padres, San Diego's new Triple–A club.

=Tampa Bay Rays=

On December 8, 2011, the Washington Nationals selected Buschmann in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft, though the team traded him to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations on April 16, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2012/4/16/2951820/tampa-bay-acquires-minor-league-pitcher-matt-buschmann-from-washington|title=Tampa Bay Acquires Minor League Pitcher Matt Buschmann From Washington|author=Jordan Ruby|date=April 16, 2012|publisher=Vox Media|work=SB Nation Tampa Bay|access-date=April 10, 2016}} He pitched for the Double–A Montgomery Biscuits and Triple–A Durham Bulls in 2012 and went 7–8 with a 3.98 ERA in 26 games (24 starts). In May, he earned a Southern League Pitcher of the Week honor.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=501936|title=Matt Buschmann Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|work=MiLB.com|access-date=April 10, 2016}} 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 in {{fraction|160|2|3}} innings. He became a free agent following the 2013 campaign.

=Oakland Athletics=

On November 20, 2013, Buschmann signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics.{{cite web|url=http://www.kffl.com/gnews.php?id=881458-athletics-matt-buschmann-signs|title=Daily Fantasy Leagues - USA Today Fantasy Sports|work=USA Today Fantasy Sports|access-date=April 10, 2016}} He went 10–7 with a 4.40 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) for the Triple–A Sacramento River Cats; he also had 134 strikeouts in {{fraction|143|1|3}} innings. Buschmann re-signed with Oakland on a minor league contract on November 24, 2014.

=Tampa Bay Rays (second stint)=

On April 2, 2015, Buschmann was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations. He made 13 starts for the Triple–A Durham Bulls, compiling a 6–5 record and 3.89 ERA with 63 strikeouts across {{fraction|78|2|3}} innings pitched. Buschmann was released by the organization on June 19.

=Cincinnati Reds=

On June 22, 2015, Buschmann signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds. He started nine games for the Triple–A Louisville Bats and went 2–5 with a 4.25 ERA and 44 strikeouts.

=Baltimore Orioles=

On August 11, 2015, Buschmann was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for cash considerations, and made one start for the Triple–A Norfolk 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 for ESPN.com, penning an article called "What baseball might look like in the year 2045."{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/buster-olney/insider/post?id=10986|title=Guest columnist Matt Buschmann: What baseball might look like in the year 2045|work=ESPN.com|access-date=April 10, 2016|date=August 20, 2015}} Adam Sobsey of Grantland.com wrote a feature piece on Buschmann in August, as well, asking "will the minor league strikeout king ever reach the majors?"{{cite web|url=http://grantland.com/the-triangle/2015-milb-mlb-matt-buschmann-career-minor-league-pitcher/|title=Matt Buschmann's Yellow Brick Road: Will the Minor League Strikeout King Ever Reach the Majors?|author=Adam Sobsey|work=Grantland|access-date=April 10, 2016|date=August 19, 2015}} He became a free agent following the season on November 6.

=Arizona Diamondbacks=

On December 11, 2015, Buschmann signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.{{Cite web|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 12/28/15|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/marlins-sign-axelrod-patton-andino-rockies-castellanos-cardinals-hefner.html|access-date=September 25, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=December 28, 2015 |language=en}} He subsequently earned an invitation to major league spring training.

On April 7, 2016, Buschmann was promoted to the major leagues for the first time after pitcher Kyle Drabek was designated for assignment.{{cite web|url=http://www.azsnakepit.com/2016/4/8/11395380/arizona-diamondbacks-roster-move-kyle-drabek-matt-buschmann|title=Arizona Diamondbacks roster move: Kyle Drabek down, Matt Buschmann up|author=Jim McLennan|date=April 8, 2016|work=AZ Snake Pit|access-date=April 10, 2016}} He made his major league debut on April 10, facing the Chicago Cubs. Buschmann pitched a scoreless top of the ninth inning, allowing only a base hit to Munenori Kawasaki. He made three appearances for Arizona, logging a 2.08 ERA with 3 strikeouts over {{fraction|4|1|3}} innings pitched. Buschmann was designated for assignment on April 29,{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/04/diamondbacks-designate-matt-buschmann.html|title=Diamondbacks Designate Matt Buschmann|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=April 29, 2017|access-date=March 13, 2017}} and outrighted to the Triple-A Reno Aces on May 3.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/05/minor-mlb-transactions-5316.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 5/3/16|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=May 3, 2016|access-date=March 13, 2017}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2016|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2016/|access-date=July 22, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2016 |language=en}}

=Toronto Blue Jays=

On February 28, 2017, Buschmann signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, and was assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=l_trn&lid=117|title=International League Transactions|work=MiLB.com|page=March 2017|access-date=March 13, 2017}} He did not appear in any games for the Bisons in 2017.

Post-playing career

=San Francisco Giants=

On December 17, 2017, Buschmann was hired by the San Francisco Giants organization as an assistant director of player development.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/12/minor-mlb-transactions-121717.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 12/17/17|last=Polishuk|first=Mark|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=December 17, 2017|access-date=December 18, 2017}}

=Toronto Blue Jays=

On November 26, 2018, Buschmann was hired by the Toronto Blue Jays as their bullpen coach.{{cite web |last1=Davidi |first1=Shi |title=Blue Jays fire bullpen coach Dane Johnson, hire Matt Buschmann |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-fire-bullpen-coach-dane-johnson-hire-matt-buschmann/ |website=Sportsnet |access-date=27 November 2018}}

Buschmann caught Aaron Judge's AL record-tying 61st home run while working the bullpen for the Toronto Blue Jays.{{Cite web |title=Yankees' Aaron Judge's 61st HR Caught by Blue Jays Bullpen Coach Matt Buschmann |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10050608-yankees-aaron-judges-61st-hr-caught-by-blue-jays-bullpen-coach-matt-buschmann |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}

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.{{Cite web|title=Blue Jays say bullpen coach Matt Buschmann stepping down|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35453341/blue-jays-say-bullpen-coach-matt-buschmann-stepping-down|access-date=2023-01-15|website=ESPN|date=January 15, 2023 |language=en}}

=Chicago Cubs=

Bushmann is currently a special advisor of player development for the Chicago Cubs.

Personal life

Buschmann is married to sportscaster Sara Walsh.{{cite web|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2014/02/14/nashville-love-story-stars-former-vandy-teammates-sports-anchor/5477097/|title=Nashville love story stars former Vandy teammates, sports anchor|date=February 14, 2014|work=The Tennessean|access-date=April 10, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/mlb/minors/louisville-bats/2015/08/03/louisville-bats-pitcher-matt-buschmann-makes-marriage--espns-sara-walsh-work/31073343/|title=Louisville Bats pitcher Matt Buschmann makes marriage to ESPN's Sara Walsh work|date=August 3, 2015|work=The Courier-Journal|access-date=April 10, 2016}} David Price, a former teammate of Buschmann's, was the "matchmaker."{{cite web|url=http://thebiglead.com/2014/02/20/david-price-played-matchmaker-between-espns-sara-walsh-and-minor-league-pitcher/|title=David Price Played Matchmaker Between ESPN's Sara Walsh and Minor League Pitcher|date=February 20, 2014|work=The Big Lead|access-date=April 30, 2016}} On February 3, 2017, Buschmann announced the birth of twins, Hutton and Brees.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BQEGkX5Ao30/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BQEGkX5Ao30 |archive-date=December 24, 2021 |url-access=registration|publisher=instagram.com|access-date=2017-02-03|title=Matt Buschmann on Instagram: "We started 3 years ago and we didn't know if it would ever happen. There were very few ups and the downs were really low but my wife is…"}}{{cbignore}}