ATLANTA - Georgia State junior starting pitcher David Buchanan (Peachtree City, Ga.) has signed a contract to play professional baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies. Buchanan was selected in the seventh round, number 231 overall, of the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft earlier this month.
Buchanan became the highest ranked Georgia State player to be selected in the MLB draft, surpassing Scott Youngbauer, who was selected in the 10th round of the 2000 draft. Before coming to the Panthers from Chipola Junior College, Buchanan was selected in the 2009 MLB Draft by the New York Mets in the sixth round (194th overall pick).
"This is a dream come true," commented Buchanan. "It's a day that my family and I have prayed about for a long time. It's a blessing and I am very thankful."
The junior went 4-2 with a 4.72 ERA in 55.1 innings pitched for the Panthers, before a finger injury derailed him the second half of the season. Buchanan struck out 53 on the season and earned CAA Pitcher of the Week honors on March 29th, two days after pitching a complete game in the conference opener against Old Dominion for State.
"This is an opportunity to live my dream. I thank God for the opportunity, and I want to go out and play to the best of my ability and make everyone proud."
"I had a great team and coaching staff at Georgia State, and I want to thank them all. I feel like I got better every day, and at the end of the year I was a better pitcher."
"David worked very hard this year to put himself in position to sign a pro contract," commented head coach Greg Frady. "This is a proud moment for David as well as for Georgia State baseball. We wish him well."
Several former Panthers are playing well and making a name for themselves this summer among the professional leagues. Continue to check back with GeorgiaStateSports.com as they work their way to the majors.
-www.GeorgiaStateSports.com-
