J. B. Bukauskas

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

J. B. Bukauskas
Arizona Diamondbacks
Pitcher
Born: (1996-10-11) October 11, 1996
Ashburn, Virginia
Bats: Right Throws: Right

Amateur career

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 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

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 GCL 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.[12]

Bukauskas was traded on July 31, 2019, to the Arizona Diamondbacks (along with Corbin Martin, Seth Beer, Joshua Rojas) and cash considerations in exchange for Zack Greinke.[13] On November 20, 2020, Bukauskas was added to the 40-man roster.[14]

Pitching style

Bukauskas regularly throws a mid-90s fastball and been able to hit 100 mph with it since his last year of high school.[15] He also has a slider that sits in the mid 80s and a changeup in his repertoire.[16]

Personal life

Bukauskas's parents are Ken and Lynn Bukauskas. He was majoring in communications while at North Carolina.[2] He is of Lithuanian origin.[17]

References
  1. 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. "North Carolina Bio". goheels.com.
  3. Whittle, John (July 9, 2013). "Bukauskas to start UNC career early". 247Sports. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  4. "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. 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. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  10. Boutwell, Christian (July 7, 2017). "Astros sign first-rounder Bukauskas". MLB.com. 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. "J.B. Bukauskas Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  13. McTaggart, Brian (July 31, 2019). "Astros deal for Greinke in Deadline stunner". MLB.com. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  14. Gilbert, Steve (November 20, 2020). "D-backs add 5 to roster, designate Guerra". MLB.com. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  15. 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.
  16. Wells, Adam (June 7, 2014). "Jacob Bukauskas: Prospect Profile for Arizona Diamondbacks' 20th-Round Pick". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  17. 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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