RHP Micah Bucknam, Drafted in 16th round (482nd overall) Toronto Blue Jays, did not sign
Hometown: Abbotsford, BC
Bats/Throws: R-R.
Height/Weight: 6’ 1” 180 lbs.
Team: Abbotsford Cardinals
Committed to: University of Washington.
Coaches: Eric Hollerbach, Taylor Bratton and Paul Howarth.
Born: Nelson, New Zealand
Previous Teams: Abbotsford Cardinals, Junior National Team, Abbotsford Angels.
Previous Coaches: Corey Eckstein, Greg Hamilton, Tim Blake, Dan Dick.
Good genes: “My mom, Jeanne, played sports growing up and was a very good athlete, playing varsity sports throughout her high school career then opted to not play post high school volleyball. My dad, Jeff, was an athlete as well but no one in my family had ever played Division 1 sports before let alone baseball.”
The most influential person in my life: “would be my Dad, but other than my dad, probably my youth leader/mentor named Cody Friesen. Off the field he has pushed me to be a better Christian, better person and better friend. I am mentally more mature and in a good place with my faith because of him. He has helped me in a number of ways.”
The most influential person in my baseball life, besides my parents: “Probably my coach Corey Eckstein. He has believed in me and pushed me when I was younger and is someone who is not my coach anymore but still a person I stay in regular contact with. He taught me how to work hard and to work hard for the things you want in life.”
On other lists: 247th on Baseball America’s top 500 (down 118 spots) … 129th on Perfect Game’s combined top 400 list (April 28) ... 246th on Baseball America’s top 500 list (June 15), up 133 spots … 379 on Baseball America’s top 400 combined list (May 3) ... 215th on Perfect Game’s top high school list (April 23) ... 389th on Baseball America’s top high school list ... Third highest HSer in Canada according to BA.
Twitter handle: @BucknamMicah
2021 season with WW Sweets _ Pitched five scoreless in a win over New Level College Prep in Perfect Game Round Robin at Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma Wash. He walked two and struck out seven while giving up three hits.
2019 season with Fraser Valley Cardinals _ Was 6-3 with two saves and a 2.26 ERA in 14 games making eight starts ... Walked 18 and struck out 51 in 52 2/3 innings.
Scouting Reports
Baseball America
246, Micah Bucknam
Last: 379
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R
Commit: Washington
Age At Draft: 17.9
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Canadian righthander has only recently been able to throw against hitters, leaving strict pandemic protocols in his home country behind to get on the mound south of the border. He’s shown solid stuff with a fastball in the low 90s that has gotten up to 95 mph, to go with a curve ball-slider bend and a change up that is normally his best off speed pitch but still needs work. He’s young for the class and has shown rapid improvements in a short time, making him an intriguing prospect with plenty of projectability remaining.
Perfect Game
379. Micah Bucknam
Mennonite Educational Institute, Abbotsford, BC
Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 180 | B-T: R-R
Commit/Drafted: Washington
May Report: The 2021 class has been a struggle for teams to scout, generally, but that especially seems to be the case for players in Canada. Bucknam is one such player who has been scouted a few times in indoor bullpen sessions in Arizona and Washington. He’s shown solid stuff, including a fastball in the low 90s that gets up to 94-95 mph, but teams will understandably want to get more looks at him against live competition.
Perfect Game
Area Codes 2020
The Royals were led by Max Debiac, along with Micah Bucknam (2021 Fraser Valley, BC). Bucknam is an interesting upside arm that flashed low 90’s velocity with a clean arm action and extension out front. His slider sat around 80 and showed tight spin, missing some bats during his outing. There is no reason he should not make natural jumps and already shows signs of pitchability.
Live Prospects
RHP Micah Bucknam
6’1 180 R/R
Bucknam, who has grown up in a combo of Seattle, New Zealand and Canada hasn’t exactly been in a traditional set up for baseball talent, but make no mistake, this is a dude. Bucknam, who has a clean, athletic delivery and build that should add another 15-20 pounds of good weight already has solid stuff. Bucknam sits 90-92 with a fastball that has touched 94 and still has projection remaining. He compliments the pitch with a high 70s slider and a mid 80s change up. It’s a nice pitch mix that should continue to tick up, but where Bucknam really stands out is with his clean delivery and strong command of all three pitches.
This is a polished young arm with notable pitchability and big projection. The UW commit is fairly reminiscent of a right-handed version of former UW commit (current Diamondback) Brock Jones who obviously was signed away from campus. Should he make it to campus, Bucknam could move quickly into the rotation and earn day one consideration but will likely attract attention from scouts now. It’s also worth noting that Bucknam is young for the class and will only be 17 on draft day.
Grade: Late Day Two.
Honors: 2021 season _ Perfect Game Northeast All Region Second Team Preseason All-American and All-Region Teams ... 2020 season _ Perfect Game Preseason Underclass All American Northeast All Region Second Team.
BEN LYPKA: Micah Bucknam signs with UW Huskies joins Seattle-based program for 2021
VID: Area Codes Games in Emerson, Ga.