Brian Buscher
Encyclopedia
Brian Phillip Buscher nicknamed "The Urban Legend", is a retired Major League Baseball
third baseman
and served in 2011 as the undergraduate assistant coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks baseball
team.
in the 3rd round (93rd overall) of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
, Buscher spent 2003-2006 in the Giants farm system, reaching as high as Double-A with the Connecticut Defenders
. In December 2006, he was taken by the Twins in the Rule 5 Draft
. The Twins purchased his contract on July 26, 2007, and Buscher made his major league debut on July 27, 2007. Buscher finished the 2007 season with a .244 batting average, 2 home runs, and 10 runs batted in over the course of 33 games.
During the 2008 season, Buscher did not make the opening day roster and started with the Twins' AAA affiliate Rochester Red Wings
. He was later called up to the Twins on April 20 and sent back on April 30 after batting .250 in 8 at-bats. Buscher was recalled again on June 12, taking former Twins reliever Juan Rincón
's roster spot. At the time of his recall, Buscher was batting .328 (58-for-177) with 12 doubles, seven home runs and 27 RBI in 51 games for the Red Wings. After his June callup, Buscher replaced struggling veteran Mike Lamb
as the everyday third baseman and earned the nickname "The Urban Legend" while batting .294 with 47 runs batted in over that stint.
In 2009, Buscher played sparingly, appearing in 61 games, making 136 at bats with a batting average of .235. He did not make the Twins 2009 playoff roster. He was outrighted off the 40-man on November 3, 2009
On December 2, 2009, Buscher signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians
with an invitation to Spring Training. He did not make the major league club and was assigned to minor league camp on April 2. After spending the first half of the season with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers
, Buscher was transferred to the Short-Season A Mahoning Valley Scrappers
on June 13. He was transferred back to the Clippers and released from the Indians' organization on June 29.
Married with one child.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
and served in 2011 as the undergraduate assistant coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks baseball
South Carolina Gamecocks baseball
The South Carolina Gamecocks baseball team represents the University of South Carolina in NCAA Division I college baseball. South Carolina has perennially been one of the best teams in college baseball since 1970, posting 27 NCAA Tournament appearances, 10 College World Series berths, and two...
team.
Professional career
Drafted by the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in the 3rd round (93rd overall) of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
2003 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.Source: -First round selections:...
, Buscher spent 2003-2006 in the Giants farm system, reaching as high as Double-A with the Connecticut Defenders
Connecticut Defenders
The Connecticut Defenders were a minor league baseball team based in Norwich, Connecticut. The team, which played in the Eastern League, was the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major-league club from 2003 until following the 2009 season, when the Defenders relocated to Richmond,...
. In December 2006, he was taken by the Twins in the Rule 5 Draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. The Twins purchased his contract on July 26, 2007, and Buscher made his major league debut on July 27, 2007. Buscher finished the 2007 season with a .244 batting average, 2 home runs, and 10 runs batted in over the course of 33 games.
During the 2008 season, Buscher did not make the opening day roster and started with the Twins' AAA affiliate Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
. He was later called up to the Twins on April 20 and sent back on April 30 after batting .250 in 8 at-bats. Buscher was recalled again on June 12, taking former Twins reliever Juan Rincón
Juan Rincón
Juan Manuel Rincón is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is with the Bridgeport Bluefish in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Rincón bats and throws right-handed. He throws a low 90s fastball and a mid low 80s slider...
's roster spot. At the time of his recall, Buscher was batting .328 (58-for-177) with 12 doubles, seven home runs and 27 RBI in 51 games for the Red Wings. After his June callup, Buscher replaced struggling veteran Mike Lamb
Mike Lamb
Michael Robert Lamb is an American professional baseball Utility Player for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. He can play the infield but shortstop, corner outfield and catcher...
as the everyday third baseman and earned the nickname "The Urban Legend" while batting .294 with 47 runs batted in over that stint.
In 2009, Buscher played sparingly, appearing in 61 games, making 136 at bats with a batting average of .235. He did not make the Twins 2009 playoff roster. He was outrighted off the 40-man on November 3, 2009
On December 2, 2009, Buscher signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
with an invitation to Spring Training. He did not make the major league club and was assigned to minor league camp on April 2. After spending the first half of the season with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
, Buscher was transferred to the Short-Season A Mahoning Valley Scrappers
Mahoning Valley Scrappers
The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are a minor league baseball club based in Niles, Ohio, a city in the valley of the Mahoning River. The Scrappers play in the Pinckney Division of the Short-Season A classification New York - Penn League and are affiliated with the Cleveland Indians Major League...
on June 13. He was transferred back to the Clippers and released from the Indians' organization on June 29.
Married with one child.