John Buck

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Houston Astros #3 prospect in 2004
  Buck emerged as one of the game's top catching prospects in 2001. While he still maintains that status, he faded down the stretch in 2002 and started to slump again in June 2003 before breaking his right hand in a baserunning accident. With power to all fields and the ability to crush mistakes, Buck has 20-25 home run potential. Managers rated him the best defensive catcher in the Pacific Coast League because of his arm strength and soft hands. He exudes leadership and relishes taking charge of a pitching staff. Buck probably won't hit for much of an average, though he can improve if he improves his recognition of breaking pitches and the strike zone. He has a long release that limited him to erasing just 26 percent of basestealers. He doesn't run well and has bulked up too much in the last two years, though he got into better shape while out with the broken hand. Buck may have been pushed too quickly and definitely needs more time in Triple-A. The Astros re-signed Brad Ausmus as a stopgap and will have him mentor Buck when he's ready.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #1 prospect in 2003
  Area scout Doug Deutsch has signed six major leaguers, including 2002 revelation Kirk Saarloos and otherwise overlooked college seniors Morgan Ensberg and Jason Lane. But his biggest find may prove to be Buck. He was raw when he signed but has made quick adjustments to pro ball. Perhaps more than any player, Buck was hurt by Houston's lack of a high Class A club the past two years. The transition was made more difficult when, on the first pitch he caught of the 2002 season, he was hit on the back of his left hand by the hitter's bat. Buck was unable to grip a bat properly in the early part of the season and posted his worst offensive numbers since short-season ball in 1999. Nevertheless, he made the Texas League's postseason all-star team. Few catching prospects can match Buck's all-around package. He projects as a .275 hitter with 20 homers in the major leagues now that he has learned to turn on fastballs and recognize breaking pitches. His defense grades out better than his offense. Buck has plus arm strength and threw out 36 percent of basestealers last year. His receiving skills are solid, though he can make further improvements on balls outside of the strike zone. Buck's makeup may be his greatest strength. He's a student of the game who takes charge of a pitching staff. He believes that making his pitchers more successful is a huge part of his job. Somehow while catching games in the Texas heat, Buck put on 15 pounds between May and the end of the season. The extra weight made him sluggish in August and in the Arizona Fall League, where his swing lengthened and his offense tapered off. He's becoming a base-clogger and spent the offseason working on his flexibility and agility. Since he started hitting for power, Buck has been more aggressive going after pitches early in the count, but he should be able to recapture the plate discipline he had earlier. Buck figures to spend 2003 in Triple-A New Orleans, one of the tougher hitter's parks in the offense-oriented Pacific Coast League. Brad Ausmus' contract expires after the season, and the Astros hope Buck can carry at least part of the big league load in 2004.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #2 prospect in 2002
  Though he hasn't gotten the attention to go with it, Buck may be the best all-around catching prospect in the minors. His continuing development allowed the Astros to include slugging backstop Garett Gentry in the Pedro Astacio trade with the Rockies. In 2001, Buck more than doubled his previous career high of 10 homers as he began to extend his arms more often and turn on fastballs. He also improved at recognizing breaking balls and making adjustments. Behind the plate, he has a strong arm and takes charge of a pitching staff. He's a student of the game, and the Astros love his makeup. Buck's release is a bit lengthy, though he gets rid of throws quickly and nailed 37 percent of basestealers in 2001. He's still getting better as a receiver and needs more exposure to quality pitchers. He has improved significantly since coming out of a Utah high school. His walk rate dipped as he started hitting for more power. After spending two years in low Class A because Houston didn't have a high Class A club, Buck is ready for Double-A. He should be the Astros' starter on Opening Day 2004.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #8 prospect in 2001
  Buck batted just .255 in two years in short-season ball, though he made the New York-Penn League all-star team in 1999. He really put his game together last season, when Midwest League managers thought he was a better prospect than Seattle's Ryan Christianson, the top catcher taken (11th overall) in the 1999 draft. Buck has solid all-around skills. Offensively, he has a quick bat and fine patience. One day, some of his doubles will turn into home runs. Behind the plate, he took charge of Michigan's pitching staff and ranked third in the league by throwing out 39 percent of basestealers. Buck doesn't extend his arms enough on his swing, leaving him vulnerable inside and making it difficult for him to pull the ball. He'll cut down on his strikeouts once he learns to read breaking pitches. He doesn't run well and could become a baseclogger down the road. His release sometimes gets long, robbing him of accuracy on his throws. Buck made impressive strides in 2000, especially considering his age. He'll spend most of this year in high Class A, and the Astros hope he'll be ready to take over when newly acquired Brad Ausmus slows down.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #15 prospect in 1999

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Pacific Coast League #18 prospect in 2003
  There was no consensus on the top catching prospect in the PCL. Scouts thought Oklahoma's Gerald Laird was the best defender behind the plate but questioned whether he'd hit enough to play regularly. Las Vegas' Koyie Hill is an interesting athlete, but he hasn't shown much power and is raw defensively. Buck has the best chance to contribute in all phases of the game. The managers' pick as the league's top defensive catcher, he has a strong arm, soft hands and excellent leadership. He still needs to iron out a long release that contributed to him throwing out just 26 percent of basestealers. Offensively, Buck has power but may never hit for a high average. His production has declined each of the last two seasons as he has climbed to Double-A and Triple-A, though he has been one of the youngest regulars in his league each time and was hampered by a broken right hand in 2003. He needs to improve his plate discipline and his ability to read breaking pitches.
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  Ranked Texas League #18 prospect in 2002
  As far as what they showed in the league this year, Buck was outshined by Gerald Laird. But he rates higher on this list because he's a bit younger and has more offensive potential. Buck impressed managers early but wore down in a full season in the Texas heat. He hit just .202 in August as his swing got long and his approach at the plate deteriorated. But after two seasons in low Class A, Buck survived the jump to Double-A pretty well. Buck has a classic power stroke and should be a standout offensive catcher as he gets stronger and refines his game. He has holes in his swing right now. On defense, he has a plus arm and is a tough competitor who blocks the plate well. He threw out 36 percent of basestealers this season.
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  Ranked Midwest League #15 prospect in 2000
  Ryan Christianson was the first catcher selected in the 1999 draft, but Buck edged him as the MWL’s best backstop prospect. Managers liked his offense and defense, and they were split as to which aspect of his game was stronger. Owner of a sound swing, Buck stays inside pitches and drives them to the gaps. He had 33 doubles and 10 homers in 2000, and in time could become a 20-homer hitter. He also draws more than his share of walks. Buck has a strong arm, though at time his release can become a bit long and cost him accuracy on his throws. He improved his game-calling, receiving and blocking skills over the course of the season.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #67 prospect in 2003
• Ranked Baseball America's #43 prospect in 2002

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Ryan Christianson was the first catcher selected in the 1999 draft, but Buck edged him as the MWL’s best backstop prospect. Managers liked his offense and defense, and they were split as to which aspect of his game was stronger. Owner of a sound swing, Buck stays inside pitches and drives them to the gaps. He had 33 doubles and 10 homers in 2000, and in time could become a 20-homer hitter. He also draws more than his share of walks. Buck has a strong arm, though at time his release can become a bit long and cost him accuracy on his throws. He improved his game-calling, receiving and blocking skills over the course of the season.