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J. B. Bukauskas

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J. B. Bukauskas
Bukauskas with the Tacoma Rainiers in 2023
Milwaukee Brewers – No. 50
Pitcher
Born: (1996-10-11) October 11, 1996 (age 28)
Ashburn, Virginia, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 20, 2021, for the Arizona Diamondbacks
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record2–2
Earned run average5.04
Strikeouts27
Teams

Jacob Allen "J. B." Bukauskas (born October 11, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners. Bukauskas played college baseball for the North Carolina Tar Heels of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Amateur career

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Bukauskas attended Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, Virginia. As a freshman, he helped Stone Bridge win both the regular season and district titles.[1] On July 7, 2012, Bukauskas committed to the University of North Carolina, which he considered his "dream school".[1] As a sophomore, he was named first-team All-Met.[2] Bukauskas reclassified during the summer after his sophomore year in order to graduate and attend North Carolina a year early.[3] He was named the 2014 All-Met Baseball Player of the Year after compiling a 7–0 record, striking out 88 batters, and not allowing an earned run during the season.[4] Bukauskas finished his high school career with a 21–3 record, 264 strikeouts, and a 0.88 ERA.[4]

Despite being expected by some to be drafted within the first two rounds of the 2014 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft, Bukauskas asked every MLB team not to draft him.[5] He was selected in the 20th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks but did not sign with the club, reaffirming his commitment to North Carolina.[6]

In his freshman year, Bukauskas led the Tar Heels with 14 games started and was part of the weekend rotation.[2] In 2016, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[7] As a junior, after going 9–0 with a 2.02 ERA during the regular season, he was named ACC Pitcher of the Year and first-team all-American by Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball.[8]

Professional career

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Houston Astros

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The Houston Astros selected Bukauskas with the 15th overall selection in the 2017 MLB draft.[9] He signed with the Astros on July 7, 2017.[10] He was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Astros, and after one scoreless outing for them, was promoted to the Tri-City ValleyCats where he finished the season, posting a 4.50 ERA in six innings pitched.[11]

In 2018, Bukauskas returned to pitch in the GCL and with the ValleyCats along with pitching for the Quad Cities River Bandits, Buies Creek Astros, and the Corpus Christi Hooks, compiling a combined 4–2 record with a 2.14 ERA in 14 starts between the five teams; he missed time during the year due to injury.[12] He returned to Corpus Christi to begin the 2019 season.

Arizona Diamondbacks

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The Astros traded Bukauskas, Corbin Martin, Seth Beer, Joshua Rojas, and cash considerations to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Zack Greinke on July 31, 2019.[13] He was assigned to the Jackson Generals and finished the season there. Over 22 games (16 starts) between the two clubs, he went 2–5 with a 5.44 ERA.[14] On November 20, 2020, Bukauskas was added to the 40-man roster.[15]

On April 18, 2021, Bukauskas was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[16][17] He made his MLB debut on April 20 against the Cincinnati Reds, getting Nick Senzel to fly out as the only batter he faced.[18][19]

On March 19, 2022, it was announced that Bukauskas had suffered a torn teres major muscle and would be out for months.[20] He was activated on July 21 and optioned to the Triple-A Reno Aces.[21] On January 11, 2023, Bukauskas was designated for assignment following the signing of Zach Davies.[22]

Seattle Mariners

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On January 17, 2023, Bukauskas was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners.[23][24] On January 31, Bukauskas was designated for assignment by the Mariners following the waiver claim of Tayler Saucedo.[25] On February 2, he cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.[26]

On April 9, Bukauskas had his contract selected to the active roster after four appearances with Tacoma.[27] He made one appearance for the Mariners, allowing two runs, one earned in an inning of relief work against the Cleveland Guardians. He was designated for assignment on April 14, after Tommy Milone was selected to the roster.[28]

Milwaukee Brewers

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On April 18, 2023, Bukauskas was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers and optioned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds.[29] After 5 appearances for the Sounds, Bukauskas was recalled to the Brewers on May 16.[30] However, he was placed on the injured list with a cervical strain four days later without appearing in a game for the Brewers.[31] On July 1, Bukauskas was recalled by the Brewers.[32] He made five scoreless appearances for Milwaukee in 2023, striking out six batters in six innings.

Bukauskas was optioned to Triple–A Nashville to begin the 2024 season.[33] He made 6 appearances for Milwaukee before he was placed on the injured list with a lat strain on April 14.[34] Bukauskas was transferred to the 60–day injured list on May 10.[35]

Pitching style

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Bukauskas regularly throws a mid-90s fastball and been able to hit 100 miles per hour with it since his last year of high school.[36] He also has a slider that sits in the mid-80s and a changeup in his repertoire.[37]

Personal life

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Bukauskas' parents are Ken and Lynn Bukauskas. He majored in communications during his career as a student-athlete at North Carolina.[2] He is of Lithuanian origin.[38]

References

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  1. ^ a b Williams, Preston (July 11, 2012). "Stone Bridge sophomore pitcher JB Bukauskas commits to 'dream school' North Carolina". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "North Carolina Bio". goheels.com.
  3. ^ Whittle, John (July 9, 2013). "Bukauskas to start UNC career early". 247Sports. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  4. ^ a b "2014 Spring All-Met Baseball". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  5. ^ Callis, Jim (May 7, 2014). "Bukauskas asks to be left out of 2014 Draft". MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  6. ^ Creech, Ed (June 8, 2014). "Draft Signings: Skoglund, Rays, Helmink, Bukauskas". MLB Draft Signings. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  7. ^ "Jacob Bukauskas - Cape Cod Baseball League - player". pointstreak.com. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  8. ^ "Bukauskas, Warmoth Earn First-Team All-America Honors". goheels.com. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  9. ^ McTaggart, Brian (June 13, 2017). "Astros see Gray in No. 15 pick Bukauskas". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  10. ^ Boutwell, Christian (July 7, 2017). "Astros sign first-rounder Bukauskas". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  11. ^ "J.B. Bukauskas Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  12. ^ Kaplan, Jake (November 8, 2018). "How Astros prospect J.B. Bukauskas salvaged a season nearly lost to a car accident". The Athletic. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  13. ^ McTaggart, Brian (July 31, 2019). "Astros deal for Greinke in Deadline stunner". MLB.com. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  14. ^ Piecoro, Nick (April 5, 2021). "J.B. Bukauskas Flourishes In Bullpen This Spring". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  15. ^ Gilbert, Steve (November 20, 2020). "D-backs add 5 to roster, designate Guerra". MLB.com. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  16. ^ "D-backs recall J.B. Bukauskas from the taxi squad; place Tim Locastro on the 10-day injured list; designated Anthony Swarzak for assignment following yesterday's game". MLB.com. April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  17. ^ Romero, Jose M. (April 18, 2021). "Diamondbacks call up pitcher Bukauskas; new CF Heath in lineup on first day with team". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  18. ^ "To be continued: D-backs and Reds suspended in 8th". Reuters. April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  19. ^ Piecoro, Nick (April 20, 2021). "Conditions play in Arizona Diamondbacks' favor before rain halts game vs. Cincinnati Reds". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  20. ^ Weiner, Alex (March 19, 2022). "D-backs RHP J.B. Bukauskas suffers torn teres major, could miss months". Arizona Sports. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  21. ^ "Diamondbacks' J.B. Bukauskas: Activated, sent to minors". CBSSports.com. July 21, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  22. ^ Gilbert, Steve; Randhawa, Manny (January 11, 2023). "D-backs bring back veteran RHP Davies on 1-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  23. ^ "Injuries & Moves: Mariners claim Bukauskas". MLB.com. January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  24. ^ "Mariners' J.B. Bukauskas: Claimed by Seattle". CBSSports.com. January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  25. ^ "Mariners' J.B. Bukauskas: Designated for assignment". CBSSports.com. January 31, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  26. ^ @MarinersPR (February 3, 2023). "Roster move: RHP JB Bukauskas cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma. He will be a non-roster invitee at Major League Spring Training" (Tweet). Retrieved February 3, 2023 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ "Mariners' J.B. Bukauskas: Recalled from Tacoma". CBSSports.com. April 9, 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  28. ^ "Mariners Select LHP Tommy Milone from Triple-A Tacoma". Mariners PR. April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  29. ^ "Brewers' J.B. Bukauskas: Claimed off waivers by MIL". CBSSports.com. April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  30. ^ "Brewers' J.B. Bukauskas: Recalled from Nashville". CBSSports.com. May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  31. ^ "Brewers' J.B. Bukauskas: Placed on 15-day IL". CBSSports.com. May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  32. ^ "Brewers DFA Matt Bush day after blown save against Pirates". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  33. ^ "Brewers' J.B. Bukauskas: Optioned to Triple-A". cbssports.com. March 28, 2024. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  34. ^ "Brewers' J.B. Bukauskas: Out with lat strain". cbssports.com. April 14, 2024. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  35. ^ "Brewers' J.B. Bukauskas: Moved to 60-day IL". cbssports.com. May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  36. ^ Lee, Tariq (April 15, 2014). "Blistering fastball has Stone Bridge RHP JB Bukauskas rocketing up MLB draft boards". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  37. ^ Wells, Adam (June 7, 2014). "Jacob Bukauskas: Prospect Profile for Arizona Diamondbacks' 20th-Round Pick". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  38. ^ Gritėnas, Paulius (June 13, 2017). "Lietuvių kilmės metikas J.B.Bukauskas tapo 15-uoju MLB naujokų biržos šaukimu". 15min.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved July 20, 2017.
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