Brian Buscher

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #14 prospect in 2005
  Buscher began 2004 late after offseason surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow. When he returned, he spent most of his time at DH before getting in a few games at third base late in the year. Buscher's only above-average tool is his ability to hit for average, but his game also lacks any glaring weaknesses. He has hit at every level, and he led the Southeastern Conference with a .393 average in 2003. He has a mature approach and a solid line-drive swing. He uses the whole field and has enough bat speed to catch up to good inside fastballs. Buscher's power is fringe-average, as his swing lacks natural loft. He's fundamentally sound at third base, with nice footwork and the ability to handle bunts well. His arm came back strong toward the end of 2004. Buscher's grinder mentality and quiet confidence make him a classic overachiever. His successful return to third base helped push Nate Schierholtz to the outfield, where his lefthanded bat can move quicker. A healthy Buscher could move fast as well. He'll report to Double-A for 2005.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #10 prospect in 2004
  Buscher comes from a baseball family, as his father, uncle and brother all played professionally. Brian was drafted twice and starred at Central Florida Community College before transferring to South Carolina. He helped lead the Gamecocks to back-to-back College World Series trips and won the 2003 Southeastern Conference batting title at .393. Buscher has a consistent approach at the plate, using a short swing to hit line drives from gap to gap. He doesn't give away at-bats, is hard to strike out and is always taking extra swings in the cage. Defensively, he's reliable at third base with an accurate arm. Buscher didn't hit for power in his pro debut because he doesn't pull the ball well right now. Down the line he projects to hit 10-15 homers annually. He doesn't run particularly well. Buscher could move quickly if he starts turning on balls and showing more pop. The Giants, who see him as a lefthanded-hitting Joe Randa, already have challenged him by starting his pro career in low Class A. He could begin 2004 in Double-A with a strong showing in spring training.