Published Aug 27, 2009
QA: NC State pitcher Jake Buchanan
Jacey Zembal
TheWolfpacker.com Editor
NC State junior Jake Buchanan had an outstanding summer playing in the Cape Cod League for the Cotuit Kettleers.
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The right-hander went 3-1 with a sparkling 0.84 ERA in 43 innings of action. He started six of the seven games he pitched in and struck out 38 while walking only six.
Buchanan had back-to-back complete games in mid-July, including a three-hit shutout July 20 against the Hyannis Mets. He struck out 11 and walked just one in the gem.
Buchanan lived with a host family in Salem, Mass., which was about 15 minutes away from Cotuit.
The 6-foot, 221-pound Buchanan, who throws around 88-to-91 miles per hour, went 2-6 with a 6.54 ERA his sophomore year at NC State. The Gastonia, N.C., native started 10 games and worked 74 1/3 innings, striking out 72 and walking just 21.
Buchanan enjoyed more success his freshman season, going 3-2 with a 3.28 ERA. He started four out of the 20 games he appeared in.
Was it an honor to play in the Cape Cod League this summer?
Yes, definitely. I would always read about it, and I've always heard that is the league with the best players. Coach wanted me to go there and play this summer. It was definitely an honor to play in the league.
How strong was the level of competition?
The level of competition was probably the best there was in the country. You can't get much better. I think every team had somebody who played in the College World Series or Team USA invites.
What was working when you tossed a three-hit shutout against Hyannis on July 20?
The success I had was definitely because I developed my changeup this summer. Our coach up there really liked calling that. I don't throw too many of them here at school. It helped me this summer keeping batters off balance. Hopefully, I'll use that this year and have the same success. I was mostly fastball-changeup this summer, and that helps with the wooden bats.
What kind of reaction did you get after that big game?
Pro scout-wise, I'm not that great of a prospect because I'm not the 6-4 guy who can throw 95 miles per hour. I'm more of a pitcher. I think I can get anyone out if I have my stuff that day.
I hopefully showed that I can pitch this summer. You can pitch at any level if you have three quality pitches. If you have that going for you, it will hopefully work out.
What was it like going against wooden bats?
It is definitely an advantage to the pitchers. With the aluminum bats, you make a good pitch, and they can still get the barrel out there and it will go. With the wooden bats, you can get away with a whole lot more pitches if you leave them in the zone.
Is your control of the strike zone one of your biggest strengths?
Definitely. If you can get ahead of the batters, it helps a lot. Hitters will get themselves out. I just want to throw strikes and work ahead.
How much of what you did this summer will carry over to NC State?
I hope all of it because I definitely got better as a pitcher. There is no doubt about that. I used all my pitches. This past year here, I didn't have a great year at all. I had a couple of bad outings. As a team, we definitely need to pick it up this year. I know a bunch of people on our team had a bunch of good summers. I hope that carries over and the leadership picks up.
What is your favorite Wolfpack baseball memory?
It has to be my freshman year when we beat South Carolina in the regional. We had the home crowd, and I get cold chills just thinking about it. That was a fun experience, and I hope we get back to that stage and play in Omaha one day. I had some teammates this summer who played in the College World Series, and they said it was the best experience ever.
What are your academic goals at NC State?
I got into the PRT [parks and recreation] natural resources major last semester. Now, I'm taking a bunch of PRT classes and concentrate there. I had a really good semester in the classroom last year, and I'm trying to carry that over from here on out. I just want to keep getting good grades.
What are your long-term goals?
I'm in the natural resources field, so I'm thinking of being a park ranger or something like that. I just want to do something outdoors. Something in nature.
What do you like to do to have fun?
I played golf all summer, and I've played about three, four times since I've come back to school. I enjoy playing golf. I haven't played the Lonnie Poole Golf Course yet at NC State, but I plan to.
Who inspires you?
My dad [Buck Buchanan] played softball a bunch, and I was on the baseball field ever since I was a baby. He got me interested in baseball and is definitely the person I would go to if I had questions.