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

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...

and the current

pitching coach In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, who determines the starting lineup and batting order, decides how to substitute players during the game, and makes strategy decision ...

for the

Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...

' High-A affiliate, the Jersey Shore Blue Claws. He played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

(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 (baseball), National League (NL) National League Eas ...

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 (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. ...

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) American League Central, Central Division. The team ...

Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics (frequently referred to as the Oakland A's) were an American Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Oakland, California from 1968 to 2024. The Athletics were a member club of the American League (AL) American League We ...

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

, and

Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West Division. The franchise was established ...

Playing career

Washington Nationals

Buchter was drafted by the

Washington Nationals The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. They play their home games at Na ...

in the 33rd round of the

2005 Major League Baseball draft The 2005 Major League Baseball 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 best drafts in recent memory. ''SourceMajor L ...

out of

Highland Regional High School Highland Regional High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school serving students in ninth through twelfth grades from Gloucester Township in Camden County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The school is located in the Blackwood ...

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 by Student athlete, student-athletes at institutions of higher education. In the United States, college baseball is sanctioned mainly by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); in Japan, ...

in the 2006 season at Gloucester County College in

Sewell, New Jersey Sewell ( ) is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated community within Mantua Township, Gloucester County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the Philadelphia metropolitan area. There are also areas around Sewell in Washingt ...

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 t ...

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

Vermont Lake Monsters The Vermont Lake Monsters are a collegiate summer baseball team located in Burlington, Vermont, United States, who were founded in 1994 as the Vermont Expos. They were members of Minor League Baseball, in the New York–Penn League (NYPL), ...

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 The Hagerstown Suns were a Minor League Baseball team based in Hagerstown, Maryland. They were a member of the South Atlantic League and, from 2007 through 2020, were the Class A (baseball), Class A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. They pl ...

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 h ...

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 a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...

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 Pe ...

in the Single–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 reorganizat ...

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 Knoxville Smokies are a Minor League Baseball team based in Knoxville, Tennessee. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The team was based in Kodak, Tennessee, a Knoxville suburb, fr ...

, 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 Daytona may refer to: Locations * Daytona Beach, Florida * Daytona Beach Shores, Florida * South Daytona, Florida * The Daytona Beach metropolitan area * Halifax area, also known as Daytona, the region around Daytona Beach Motor racing * Day ...

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 following ...

Atlanta Braves

On May 26, 2011, Buchter was then traded from the Cubs to the

for Rodrigo López. 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 Cincinn ...

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 unti ...

, 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 were referred to locally, were a Minor League Baseball team based in Pearl, Mississippi, a suburb of Jackson, from 2005 to 2024. They were the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and competed in ...

, 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 Phoenix most often refers to: * Phoenix (mythology), an immortal bird in ancient Greek mythology * Phoenix, Arizona, the capital of the U.S. state of Arizona and the most populous state capital in the United States Phoenix may also refer to: ...

in the

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

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 year ...

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 on November 3.

Los Angeles Dodgers

On January 9, 2015, 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 (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...

with an invitation to spring training. He was assigned to the AAA

Oklahoma City Dodgers The Oklahoma City Comets are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They are located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and play their ho ...

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 (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade bel ...

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.

Chicago Cubs (second stint)

On July 27, 2015, Buchter signed a minor league contract 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 (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are located in Des Moines, Iowa, and are named for their Major League Baseball (MLB) affiliate. T ...

, recording a 2.00 ERA in 16 appearances. He became a free agent after the season on November 6.

San Diego Padres

On December 8, 2015, Buchter signed a minor league contract with the

. 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 former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Kansas City Roy ...

, and

Brandon Maurer Brandon Eugene Maurer (born July 3, 1990) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres and Kansas City Royals. From Costa Mesa, California, Maurer pitche ...

to the

for Matt Strahm, Travis Wood, and

Esteury Ruiz Esteury Ruiz Reyes (born February 15, 1999) is a Dominican professional baseball center fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022 with the San Diego Padres and also played for the Milwaukee ...

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 23, 2020, Buchter signed a minor league contract with the

, and received an invitation to spring training. Buchter had his contract selected on March 22. In 10 games for the Angels, he logged a 4.50 ERA with 8 strikeouts over 6 innings of work. Buchter was designated for assignment by the Angels on September 2. He was outrighted on September 5, but rejected his assignment and elected free agency the next day.

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 Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...

. He did not play in a game for the Yankees organization due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

. Buchter became a free agent on November 2.

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 The Reno Aces are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. They are located in Reno, Nevada, and play their home games at Greater Nevada Field, w ...

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. The Mariners compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. The team joined the American ...

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

Coaching career

On January 31, 2023, it was announced that Buchter had been hired as the assistant pitching coach for the

Lehigh Valley IronPigs The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. They are located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and they are named in reference to pig iron, used ...

, the Triple-A affiliate of the

. On February 7, 2025, Buchter was named a pitching coach for Philadelphia's High-A affiliate, the Jersey Shore BlueClaws.

Personal life

In 2021, Buchter began advocating for better

mental health Mental health is often mistakenly equated with the absence of mental illness. However, mental health refers to a person's overall emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It influences how individuals think, feel, and behave, and how t ...

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 Highland Regional High School alumni Baseball players from Camden County, New Jersey Baseball players from Reading, 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