Here’s another rookie profile: right-handed pitcher Alan Busenitz of the Minnesota Twins, who was promoted to the major leagues on June 17th. Here’s a quick take on what to expect.
Busenitz actually pitched five years of college baseball, beginning with the 2009 and 2010 seasons at Georgia Perimeter College. He transferred to Kennesaw State for 2011 and was ineffective, posting a 6.83 ERA in 29 innings. He missed almost all of 2012 (just 10 innings) and was given a medical redshirt.
He returned greatly improved in 2013, posting a 2.83 ERA in 35 innings and earning a spot in the 25th round of the draft, selected by the Los Angeles Angels. He had an excellent year as a Low-A closer in 2014, posting a 1.94 ERA with 17 saves, but struggled with an attempted conversion to starting in 2015 (6.75 ERA in 53 innings in Double-A, 83 hits).
Busenitz was traded to the Twins as part of the Ricky Nolasco/Hector Santiago deal last summer. He had a 2.15 ERA for Triple-A Rochester before his recent promotion to the majors, showing improved control compared to past seasons with a 32/9 K/BB in 29 innings.
Listed at 6-1, 180, Busenitz is a right-handed hitter and thrower born August 22nd, 1990. He has no shortage of velocity, clocked as high as 99 MPH and averaging 95. His breaking ball and change-up lag well behind the fastball and prevented success as a starter, but if you need someone to come in and throw hard for a few hitters, Busenitz is a viable option.
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