He is also falling behind in the Triple-A competition. The reality is that call-ups in the Major League are getting further and further away. David Buchanan, former ace of the Samsung Lions, is at a crossroads of fate.
Buchanan, a member of the Triple-A Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs under the Philadelphia Phillies, took to the mound as the team's second pitcher in the top of the fifth inning, trailing 2-5, against the Triple-A Norfolk Ties (under the Baltimore Orioles) at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania on the 21st (Korea Standard Time).
Buchanan started off fresh in the fifth inning with Shane Fontana grounded out to first base, Anthony Servidio grounded out to first base, and Conor Pavolonia grounded out to shortstop.
However, with one out in the top of the sixth inning, Donta Williams gave a left-handed hit and two-run shot to Connor Novi. The gap widened to 2-7. Then, he grounded out Daniel Johnson and gave up a walk to Billy Cook. With two outs and a runner on the first base, he grounded out Maverick Handley to the catcher to end the top of the sixth inning.
Shane Fontana, the leadoff hitter, hit a critical hit in the top of the seventh inning. However, he guided Anthony Servidio to a groundout to the second base and secured Conor Pavoloni to the third baseman's double play to end the seventh inning.
He threw a total of 37 pitches, and used 15 sinkers, nine changeups, seven cutters, and six curves. He posted a maximum speed of 92.8 miles (149.3 kilometers) in the sinker. With two runs allowed on the day, his ERA for this season slightly increased from 5.46 to 5.48.
Buchanan has lost ground in Triple-A as well. He was put on the injured list on May 5, and after returning to the mound, he was not a starter but a starting pitcher. In the game against the Syracuse Mets on May 17, his first game since returning to the mound, he showed sluggish performance by allowing two hits, two walks and two runs in two innings. In other words, he allowed runs in two consecutive games due to bullpen session.
Buchanan, who joined the Korean pro baseball team in 2020 wearing the Samsung uniform, had 54 wins and 28 losses with an ERA of 3.02 (235 earned runs in 699 ⅔ innings) and 539 strikeouts in 113 games through three seasons until last year. He was an ace with blue eyes and blue blood, who practiced the spirit of fan-first.
However, Buchanan left for the U.S. to take on a new challenge after the end of last year's season. Samsung made attractive suggestions to Buchanan, including a multi-year contract, but rejected the offer. Buchanan chose to take on a challenge that would never happen again in the Major League. After signing a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, he was invited to the spring camp. However, he only posted an ERA of 5.63 in four games in the spring camp. During eight innings, he had 13 hits and three walks with WHIP 2.00 and a hit rate of 370.1 percent. He failed to make the Major League roster and started the season in the Minor League.
He also lost his starting position in the starting lineup. His position in Triple-A has declined. Perhaps, Buchanan has no more opportunities to play in the Major League. Even though a player in his mid-30s has achieved exceptional performance, he is agonizing over a call-up in the Major League, but with Buchananan's performance, he is unlikely to play in the Major League.
If Buchanan continues his career once again in the future, his return to Korea is the best scenario. Only Samsung, which has the right to hold, can negotiate with Buchanan.
If Buchanan recruits Danny Reyes, and Connor Seabold, he should clear out one of the existing foreign players. Both players were once on the verge of being kicked out, but now they have stabilized. Reyes has seven wins and three losses and an earned run average of 3.90 in 15 games. Connor has recovered from his slump in the early days of this season. He has posted six wins and five losses and an earned run average of 4.33 in 16 games.
Samsung has to make a choice, and Buchanan is now in a position to make a choice. Will Buchanan miss the roar of Daegu-Samsung Lions Park? Will this longing be a factor in deciding whether to go to Korea? Attention is also focusing on whether Samsung will show interest in Buchanan, which has lost its foothold. 토토사이트 순위