Dallas Buck
Encyclopedia
Dallas Buck is a Minor League Baseball
player and former All-America
n baseball pitcher
who played for the Oregon State Beavers
of Oregon State University
in college. He throws a fastball
, changeup
, curveball
, and his strike-out pitch, the slider
.
, which won the Oregon state championship his senior year. At Oregon State University, the 6'3, 210 pound, athlete majored in sociology
. He played football in the Fall as a defensive-back and pitched for the baseball team in the Spring. After two years playing both sports, he decided to specialize in baseball. Buck pitched for the Beavers from 2004–2006, including pitching games in the 2006 College World Series
. He had a key part in the final series between Oregon State and the North Carolina Tar Heels
. Buck won game three of the series after pitching just two days before in game one, sealing Oregon State's first baseball national championship.
in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. In June 2007, he had Tommy John surgery
on his elbow. On August 11, 2008 Buck was traded from Arizona's minor league Single-A Visalia Oaks
(along with Micah Owings
and Wilkin Castillo
) to the Cincinnati Reds
for Adam Dunn
and cash. In 2009 Buck battled arm injuries while holding a 2-3 record with a 4.91 ERA in ten starts. He ended the 2009 season playing for the Double-A Carolina Mudcats
.
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
player and former All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n baseball pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who played for the Oregon State Beavers
Oregon State Beavers
The Oregon State Beavers is a name shared by all sports teams at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. The Beavers are part of the Pacific-12 Conference . Oregon State's mascot is Benny the Beaver...
of Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
in college. He throws a fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
, changeup
Changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. Other names include change-of-pace, Bugs Bunny change-up, the dreaded equalizer, and simply change. The changeup is sometimes called an off-speed pitch, although that term can also be used simply to mean any pitch that is slower than a fastball...
, curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
, and his strike-out pitch, the slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
.
College career
Buck pitched four years for Newberg High SchoolNewberg High School
Newberg High School is the only public high school in Newberg, Oregon, United States.-History:The school was remodeled in 2006, adding a second story, with four classrooms, a larger cafeteria, and a new auditorium.-Academics:...
, which won the Oregon state championship his senior year. At Oregon State University, the 6'3, 210 pound, athlete majored in sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
. He played football in the Fall as a defensive-back and pitched for the baseball team in the Spring. After two years playing both sports, he decided to specialize in baseball. Buck pitched for the Beavers from 2004–2006, including pitching games in the 2006 College World Series
2006 College World Series
The 2006 College World Series was held June 16-26 in Omaha, Nebraska; it was the 60th College World Series and the 57th series held in Omaha. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having advanced through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium...
. He had a key part in the final series between Oregon State and the North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina Tar Heels
The North Carolina Tar Heels are the athletic teams for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The name Tar Heel is a nickname used to refer to individuals from the state of North Carolina, the Tar Heel State...
. Buck won game three of the series after pitching just two days before in game one, sealing Oregon State's first baseball national championship.
Professional career
Buck was a third round pick for the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. In June 2007, he had Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
on his elbow. On August 11, 2008 Buck was traded from Arizona's minor league Single-A Visalia Oaks
Visalia Oaks
The Visalia Rawhide are a minor league baseball team in Visalia, California, U.S. They are a Class A - Advanced team of the Arizona Diamondbacks operating in the California League and have recently agreed to renew their affiliation through 2012....
(along with Micah Owings
Micah Owings
Micah Burton Owings is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher currently pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks....
and Wilkin Castillo
Wilkin Castillo
Wilkin Castillo is a Major League Baseball utility player.-Professional career:Castillo was originally signed as an undrafted free agent in by the Arizona Diamondbacks....
) to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Troy Dunn , nicknamed "Big Donkey", is an American Major League Baseball first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed....
and cash. In 2009 Buck battled arm injuries while holding a 2-3 record with a 4.91 ERA in ten starts. He ended the 2009 season playing for the Double-A Carolina Mudcats
Carolina Mudcats
The Carolina Mudcats are a minor league baseball team based in the eastern suburbs of Raleigh, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the Carolina League, are the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians major-league club beginning in 2012.-History:...
.
College Honors
- 2005 American Baseball Coaches Association All-American (first team)
- 2005 Baseball America All-American (first team)
- 2005 Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball All-American (first team)
- 2005 USA Today/Sports Weekly All-American (first team)
- 2005 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-American (second team)
- 2005 ABCA All-West Region first team
- 2005 All-Pacific-10 first team