Matt Buschmann

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #21 prospect in 2008
  Buschmann stepped into Vanderbilt's rotation as a senior in 2006 and thrived as the Friday starter when lefthander David Price (who would become the No. 1 overall pick in 2007) hit a slump. Buschmann exceeded expectations by making it to high Class A in his pro debut, and he was even more impressive in his return engagement with Lake Elsinore in 2007. He ranked second in the California League with 12 wins and a 2.89 ERA for a Storm squad that advanced to the league finals. Buschmann offers durability, efficiency and average command of three lively pitches. A competitor with good feel for his pitches down in the strike zone, he touches 92 mph with his two-seam fastball and pitches at 86-90 from a three-quarters arm slot, generating good sink and bore. His natural crossfire delivery adds deception. Buschmann showed improvement in commanding his fastball to the outer half of the plate, which aided in setting up his offspeed offerings. His sharp slider can be a plus pitch at times, but it gets big--and his fastball flattens out--when he rushes his delivery and ends up throwing sidearm. He made strides with his changeup, but it's a third pitch for him. Buschmann, who profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter or middle reliever, is ready for Double-A.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #24 prospect in 2007
  Buschmann stepped into Vanderbilt's rotation and thrived as its Friday starter when David Price (the possible No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft) hit a slump last spring. The Padres were pleased that Buschmann made it to high Class A in his pro debut, especially considering he was a senior sign for $2,000. He tops out at 92 mph and pitches at 86-90 with a lively fastball he delivers from a three-quarter arm slot, generating good sink and bore. Buschmann gets in trouble when he gets under his pitches and has a habit of flying open. He throws an 84-85 mph slider that can be a plus offering on occasion. Buschmann gets good side-to-side break on the pitch, but is working on adding tilt to the pitch to locate it down on the zone. He commands the inside portion of the strike zone against righthanders but needs to improve his ability to throw strikes down and away. His changeup is an average offering. Buschmann has the makings of a future No. 4 or 5 starter with the ability to pitch to contact and generate groundball outs. He'll likely begin 2007 back in high Class A, where he finished strong in the postseason.