Ryan Bukvich

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Diego Padres #25 prospect in 2005
  Inneffectiveness and ineligibility (as a senior) pushed Bukvich down in the draft coming out of college, but Royals scout Mark Willoughby persuaded Kansas City to take him based on the arm strength he showed at Division II Delta State (Miss.) as a freshman. He looked like the Royals' closer of the future after shooting through the system, but problems with command and finding a secondary pitch kept him bouncing between Triple-A Omaha and the majors last season, and the Royals included him with Darrell May in a trade that netted Terrence Long and a Triple-A pitcher the Padres were frustrated with, Dennis Tankersley. Bukvich still has a plus fastball, a power pitch that sits in the mid-90s and generates plenty of swings and misses. But his slider is too slurvy and his changeup lacks movement. He hasn't been able to develop either into an effective offering, and his command has regressed. The Padres still believe in his upside, and hope a change of scenery will be just the ticket for him to put things together at Triple-A and finally break through to the big leagues.
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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #20 prospect in 2004
  Bukvich experienced two poor seasons at Mississippi and was academically ineligible as a senior, but area scout Mark Willoughby remembered Bukvich's arm strength from his freshman year at NCAA Division II Delta State (Miss.). Bukvich raced through the minors but has struggled somewhat since first reaching the majors in July 2002. He opened last year as a set-up man in Kansas City, but his control soon deserted him and led to a demotion to Triple-A in May. He earned a second brief promotion at the end of June, but spent most of the year in Omaha struggling to refine his command. While his 92-96 mph fastball can be dominant, Bukvich often fails to finish pitches and leaves the ball up in the zone, resulting in home runs of falling behind in the count. First-pitch strikes are key because he can't use his fringe-average splitter or slurvy slider unless he's ahead in the count. None of his struggles are new, as they've been constant shortcomings throughout his career. How Bukvich addresses those concerns will determine whether he spends 2004 in Kansas City or Triple-A.
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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #11 prospect in 2003
  Bukvich began his college career at Division II Delta State (Miss.) before transferring to Mississippi, where he pitched poorly for two years and was academically ineligible as a senior. Area scout Mark Willoughby remembered Bukvich's arm strength and got the Royals to take a flier on him in the 2000 draft. Bukvich started the 2002 season by not allowing an earned run in his first 17 appearances, and didn't give up any runs after a promotion to Triple-A. His .131 opponents average was the lowest among minor league relievers. Bukvich throws a heavy fastball at 92-96 mph but needs a reliable second pitch to succeed in the majors. He must develop more consistency with his slurvy slider or improve his below-average splitter. Bukvich also struggled mightily with command in the majors, delivering first-pitch strikes to less than half the batters he faced. When he did find the plate he often served up meatballs, so he needs to throw more quality strikes as well. Bukvich has an outside shot at winning Kansas City's closer job in a spring-training competition with fellow rookies Mike MacDougal and Jeremy Hill. More likely, Bukvich will wind up as a set-up man.
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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #12 prospect in 2002
  Area scout Mark Willoughby, who urged the Royals to take Miguel Ascencio in the Rule 5 draft, also deserves the credit for Bukvich, who easily could have slipped through the cracks. Bukvich began his college career at NCAA Division II Delta State (Miss.), then transferred to Mississippi and got lit up for two years before being declared academically ineligible as a senior. Willoughby remembered Bukvich's live arm and persuaded Kansas City to take him in the 11th round of the 2000 draft. All he has done in the last 1 1/2 years is reach Double- A while holding opponents to a .180 average and three homers in 100 innings. Bukvich throws in the mid-90s, and he pleased the Royals by turning his hard slurve into a true slider in 2001. It's an average big league pitch now. To finish his climb toward Kauffman Stadium, he just has to throw more strikes. Another possible closer of the future, he likely will return to Wichita at the outset of this season.
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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #12 prospect in 2001
  Like Shawn Sonnier, Bukvich is a tribute to fine scouting. He spent a year at NCAA Division II Delta State (Miss.), then two at Mississippi, where he had an 8.44 ERA and more walks than strikeouts before being declared academically ineligible for his senior year. But area scout Mark Willoughby stayed on Bukvich, and persuaded the Royals to draft him in the 11th round. Upon signing, Bukvich showed a 96 mph fastball and reached high Class A without allowing a home run. He also displayed a closer's mentality. He still needs to throw more strikes and refine his second pitch, a hard slurve that the Royals would like to become a true slider. If he doesn't open 2001 at Double-A Wichita, he certainly could get there by the end of the season.