Drafted in the 18th round (548th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
The Brewers had high expectations for Bucci in 2012, but he severely strained his shoulder in spring training. It took him most of the season to rehab it and get ready to pitch again. He was impressive in six starts at Brevard County, including an eight-inning outing to close the season. Bucci features a fastball that sits at 90-92 mph and touches 94, uses it on both sides of the plate and isn't afraid to pitch inside. His secondary pitches include a cutter, sharp-breaking curveball and changeup, all of which have a chance to be at least average. He shows a good feel for pitching and repeats his delivery well. Last year's shoulder issue notwithstanding, his frame and athleticism should lend themselves to durability. Milwaukee loves his competitiveness on the mound, which he developed during his time with Canada's national teams. He was part of bronze-medal winners at the 2009 and 2011 World Cups and a gold-medal squad at the 2011 Pan American Games. Though he missed much of last season, Bucci has plenty of time to develop into a middle-of-the-rotation starter. Protected on the 40-man roster in November, he'll make the jump to Double-A.
Extremely raw when he signed out of Canada for $50,000 as an 18th-round pick in 2008, Bucci has made steady progress and pitched well last year in high Class A at age 20. His experience with Canada's national teams has helped his development, as he contributed to bronze-medal finishes at the 2009 and 2011 World Cups and a championship at the 2011 Pan American Games. Bucci likes to pitch inside with a 90-92 mph fastball that tops out at 94. He added a cutter/slider last season that became a solid pitch at times, and both his downer curveball and sinking changeup have the potential to become average offerings. He did a better job in 2011 of limiting walks and keeping his pitch counts down, allowing him to work a career-high 150 innings. Bucci has a good pitcher's frame and athleticism that enables him to repeat his delivery. He's a hard worker and tough competitor with a reasonable projection of becoming a No. 4 starter. He's ready to pitch in Double-A.
Bucci was a raw pitcher with limited experience when the Brewers drafted him out of Canada. He pitched little in 2008 but opened some eyes in the Pioneer League the next season by ranking high in several categories. Milwaukee loves his aggressive approach and fierce competitiveness on the mound, traits he's displayed for Canada's national team in the 2009 World Cup (helping lead Canada to its best-ever bronze medal) and the 2010 Pan Am qualifier. He attacks hitters with a fastball that sits at 89-92 mph and touches 93, and he isn't afraid to pitch inside and knock hitters off the plate. Bucci shows hitters his curveball to keep them off his fastball and mixes in an improving changeup that he will throw in any count. He has good balance and extension with his delivery but struggles with fastball command at times, leading to high pitch counts and too many walks. But opponents batted only .220 off him last season, so he is tough to beat when he throws strikes. Challenged in instructional league to do a better job of pitching down in the strike zone, Bucci showed improvement that had impressed the Brewers' staff. He pitched most of the season at 19 and has a good pitcher's frame and athleticism on the mound. Bucci should continue to develop because he is one of the hardest workers in the system. He should start 2011 in high Class A.
A somewhat raw pitcher who came to pro ball with limited experience out of Canada, Bucci worked just 11 innings in his 2008 pro debut. Bumped up a notch to Rookie-level Helena last season, he opened eyes by ranking second in the Pioneer League in wins (six), fourth in strikeouts (66) and fifth in ERA (4.41). He also threw five shutout innings to beat Korea at the World Cup in September. Bucci pitches regularly at 88-92 mph with his four-seam fastball, and he has room to fill out and add velocity. He also has an effective curveball and a changeup with sink. He mixes in cutters and two-seamers to keep hitters guessing. Athletic on the mound, Bucci has good balance and extension with his delivery. He stays on line to the plate but will have to do a better job of throwing strikes as he advances. He didn't turn 19 until late in the season, so he has plenty of time to develop. Most scouts think he projects as a back-of-the rotation starter. He'll move up to low Class A in 2010.
Minor League Top Prospects
An 18th-round pick in 2008, Bucci entered the Pioneer League with little fanfare but made a name for himself. He ranked second in the league in wins (6-3), fourth in strikeouts (66 in 69 innings) and fifth in ERA (4.41). He also raised his profile by throwing five shutout innings to beat Korea in Canada's opener at the World Cup in September. A live-bodied 6-foot-2, 180-pound righthander, Bucci throws downhill and gets good extension on a four-seam fastball that ranges from 88-92 mph and touches 93. He'll mix in a two-seamer occasionally. He works fast and aggressively attacks the strike zone, hiding the ball well in his delivery. His hard 76-79 mph curveball is an average pitch, and his changeup has nice sink. Bucci has all the ingredients, including composure, needed to mature into a rotation candidate, most likely as a No. 4 or 5 starter.
Download our app
Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone