Ryan James Buchter (born February 13, 1987) is an American

professional baseball Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world. Modern professiona ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or dr ...

who is a free agent. He previously played in MLB for the

Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The Braves were founded in ...

San Diego Padres The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penn ...

Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team was founded as an expans ...

Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The t ...

Los Angeles Angels The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team h ...

, and

Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks (colloquially known as the D-backs) are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The ...

Career

Washington Nationals

Buchter was drafted by the

Washington Nationals The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C.. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadiu ...

in the 33rd round of the

2005 Major League Baseball draft The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams. It is widely considered to be one of the bes ...

out of Highland Regional High School in

Blackwood, New Jersey Blackwood is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Gloucester Township, in Camden County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.

. He went on to play

college baseball College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. In comparison to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a smaller role in developing professional pl ...

in the 2006 season at

Gloucester County College Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) is a public community college with two campuses in New Jersey, including one in Sewell (Gloucester Main Campus) and one in Vineland and Millville (Cumberland Branch Campus). The college was established in ...

Sewell, New Jersey Sewell ( ) is a census-designated place and unincorporated community within Mantua Township in Gloucester County, New Jersey. It is named for United States Senator William Joyce Sewell. Sewell is served as U.S. Postal Service ZIP Code 0808 ...

before ultimately signing with the Nationals. He began his professional career with the

Gulf Coast Nationals The Florida Complex League Nationals are a Rookie-level affiliate of the Washington Nationals, competing in the Florida Complex League of Minor League Baseball. Prior to the 2021 season, the team was known as the Gulf Coast League Nationals. The ...

in 2006 where he was 7.24 ERA in 11 games and made one start. In 2007 with the Vermont Lake Monsters of the

New York–Penn League The New York–Penn League (NYPL) was a Minor League Baseball league that operated in the northeastern United States from 1939 to 2020. Classified as a Class A Short Season league, its season started in June, after major-league teams signed th ...

, he had a 6.82 ERA in 20 games. Buchter was promoted to the Hagerstown Suns of the

South Atlantic League The South Atlantic League, often informally called the Sally League, is a Minor League Baseball league with teams predominantly in states along the Atlantic coast of the United States from New York to Georgia. A Class A league for most of its ...

in 2008 and appeared in 13 games with a 3.26 ERA.

Chicago Cubs

Buchter was traded from the Nationals to the

Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is locate ...

for fellow minor leaguer Matt Avery on November 3, 2008. He played for the

Peoria Chiefs The Peoria Chiefs are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. The team was established in 1983 as the Peoria Suns. They are located in Peoria, Illinois, and are named for the Peo ...

in the Class-A

Midwest League The Midwest League is a Minor League Baseball league established in 1947 and based in the Midwestern United States. A Class A league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganiza ...

in 2009 and had a 1.33 ERA in 38 games with five saves. The following season, 2010, he had a 7–2 record and a 4.65 ERA in 47 games for the Double-A

Tennessee Smokies The Tennessee Smokies are a Minor League Baseball team based in Kodak, Tennessee, a suburb of Knoxville. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They play at Smokies Stadium, directly off ...

, which earned him a spot on the Southern League mid-season All-Star team. In 2011, he made 10 appearances for the Smokies and another six for the Daytona Cubs of the

Florida State League The Florida State League (FSL) is a Minor League Baseball league based in the state of Florida. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A followi ...

Atlanta Braves

Buchter was then traded from the Cubs to the

for Rodrigo López on May 26, 2011. He was promptly assigned to the

Lynchburg Hillcats The Lynchburg Hillcats are a Minor League Baseball team in Lynchburg, Virginia that plays in the Carolina League and is the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. They were a farm team of the Atlanta Braves from 2011 to 2014, the Cincinna ...

of the

Carolina League The Carolina League is a Minor League Baseball league which has operated along the Atlantic Coast of the United States since 1945. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 un ...

, where he was 2–5 with a 3.59 ERA in 34 games with 15 saves. In 2012, he began the season with the Double-A

Mississippi Braves The Mississippi Braves, or M-Braves as they are referred to locally, are a Minor League Baseball team based in Pearl, Mississippi, a suburb of Jackson. The team is the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and plays in the Southern League. ...

, where he was 3–1 with a 1.31 ERA in 35 games and also had four saves. He was again selected to the mid-season Southern League All-Star team. Afterwards, he was promoted to the Triple-A

Gwinnett Braves The Gwinnett Stripers are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. They play their home games at Coolray Field in unincorporated Gwinnett County, Georgia (with a Lawrencevi ...

where he pitched eight innings in nine games with a high 10.12 ERA. He played for the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the

Arizona Fall League The Arizona Fall League (AFL) is an off-season sports league owned and operated by Major League Baseball (MLB) which operates during the autumn in Arizona, United States, at six different baseball complexes. Arizona Fall League rosters are fille ...

after the conclusion of the regular season. The Braves added him to their 40-man roster on November 1, 2013 and he was named to the Braves'

Opening Day Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball (MLB) and most of the American minor leagues, this day typically falls during the first week of April, although in recent years ...

roster for the 2014 season. He was sent back down to Gwinnett a few days later without appearing in a game. Buchter was called back up to Atlanta on June 20, 2014. He made his major league debut that night against the team that drafted him, the

, recording a strikeout and earning the win in an inning of extra inning work. That was his only appearance in the Majors and he spent the rest of the season with Gwinnett, where he pitched in 49 games with a 3.29 ERA. Buchter was outrighted off the Braves roster on September 26, 2014 and became a free agent.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Buchter signed a minor league contract with the

Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League West, West division. Established in 1883 i ...

in January 2015 and received an invitation to spring training. He was assigned to the AAA Oklahoma City Dodgers and was selected to the mid-season

Pacific Coast League The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Western United States. Along with the International League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Ba ...

all-star team. In 27 games he had a 1.65 ERA and exercised his opt out clause on July 20 to become a free agent.

Second Stint with Cubs

On July 24, 2015, Buchter signed a minor league deal with the

. He finished the year with the Triple-A

Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are located in Des Moines, Iowa, and are named for their Major League Baseball (MLB) affiliate. The Cubs play their h ...

, recording a 2.00 ERA in 16 appearances. He became a free agent after the season.

San Diego Padres

Buchter signed a minor league deal with the

on December 8, 2015. On January 8, 2016, Buchter's contract was selected. In his two seasons with the Padres, Buchter owned an ERA of 2.93 with 125 strikeouts in over 100 innings.

Kansas City Royals

On July 24, 2017, the Padres traded Buchter,

Trevor Cahill Trevor John Cahill (born March 1, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, ...

, and Brandon Maurer to the

for Matt Strahm, Travis Wood, and

Esteury Ruiz Esteury Ruiz (born February 15, 1999) is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022 with the San Diego Padres and also played for the Milwaukee Brewers. ...

Oakland Athletics

On January 29, 2018, the Royals traded Buchter, Brandon Moss, and cash considerations to the

for Jesse Hahn and Heath Fillmyer. In his first season with Oakland, Buchter posted an ERA of 2.75 in 60 appearances. He struck out 41 batters in innings. Buchter was non-tendered by Oakland on December 2, 2019, and became a free agent.

Los Angeles Angels

On February 17, 2020, Buchter signed a minor league deal with the

, and received an invite to Spring Training. Buchter had his contract selected on March 22, 2020. Buchter was designated for assignment by the Angels on September 2, 2020. He was outrighted on September 4, but rejected his outright assignment and elected free agency two days later.

New York Yankees

On September 8, 2020, Buchter signed a minor league contract with the

New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. They are one ...

. He became a free agent on November 2, 2020.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On January 19, 2021, Buchter signed a minor league contract with the

organization. On May 27, 2021, Buchter was selected to the active roster. After posting a 5.52 ERA across 16 appearances, Buchter was designated for assignment on July 5. He was outrighted to the Triple-A Reno Aces on July 7. On July 30, his contract was selected by Arizona. On August 6, Buchter was returned to Reno. On August 20, Buchter was released by the Diamondbacks.

Seattle Mariners

On March 20, 2022, the

Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The team joined the American League as an expansion ...

signed Buchter to a minor league deal. On March 31, Buchter was released by the Mariners organization.

Personal life

In 2021, Buchter began advocating for better

mental health Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing cognition, perception, and behavior. It likewise determines how an individual handles Stress (biology), stress, interpersonal relationships, and decision-maki ...

resources for professional baseball players, stating that the game had caused him to become a "depressed alcoholic" in 2016 and 2017 and that he felt he was a better player when drinking.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Buchter, Ryan 1987 births Living people Sportspeople from Reading, Pennsylvania Baseball players from Pennsylvania Major League Baseball pitchers Atlanta Braves players San Diego Padres players Kansas City Royals players Oakland Athletics players Los Angeles Angels players Arizona Diamondbacks players Gulf Coast Nationals players Vermont Lake Monsters players Hagerstown Suns players Peoria Chiefs players Tennessee Smokies players Lynchburg Hillcats players Daytona Cubs players Mississippi Braves players Phoenix Desert Dogs players Gwinnett Braves players Oklahoma City Dodgers players Iowa Cubs players Tomateros de Culiacán players American expatriate baseball players in Mexico Nashville Sounds players Reno Aces players