Bucknam Preparing For LSU, Next Year's Draft

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. - The past two years have been eventful to say the least for Micah Bucknam.

“It’s been a crazy ride for sure,” Bucknam said.

It began with participation in the Future Games for Team Canada in late summer of 2019 and a commitment to the University of Washington followed. But that was just the beginning.

The 17-year-old was chosen in the 16th round of the MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays back in July before deciding to pass on that opportunity. Soon after, Bucknam decommitted from Washington before reclassifying as a 2022. The adventure was far from over, however, with a commitment to LSU capping off this past summer of activity.

“When the draft came around it was nuts,” Bucknam reflected. “You can never prepare for it. Afterward, you’re either in a farm system, in school, or in my situation, you don’t know. I had an opportunity to get drafted higher for good money but as I look at it, I’ve put myself in a better position.”

That position did not include the minor leagues this year.

“They took me as a safety net with Rocker,” Bucknam said about the Blue Jays, referring to Kumar Rocker who was taken with the 10th pick by Toronto but not signed with concerns over elbow health.

Bucknam was selected 482nd by the Jays, briefly leaving the University of Washington in doubt about his future.

“A week after the draft I decommitted,” Bucknam noted. “They were wondering about my plans and at the end of the day it was better for me to reopen my recruitment and throw myself into the draft next year.”

The first week of August, Bucknam reclassified to become a 2022.

“The whole idea behind it is I thought I’m worth a certain amount,” Bucknam explained. “I’m young for the 2021 class and I can develop. This way if pro ball does happen I can compete right away.

“Also, I don’t think I’m prepared enough to go to school with the whole Covid situation. In Canada it was 15 months between games. I had to go to the states to be seen for the draft so I went in April to throw a bullpen for the scouts. They wanted to see me in games so I went in May to get seen on that stage. To end up getting drafted after only 15 innings, I applaud myself.”

Admittedly, decommitting was difficult as well.

“It was definitely tough,” Bucknam said of not going to the University of Washington where his father attended and grandfather taught. “I mirror it to breaking up in a relationship. I’ve been committed there for two years, but a lot of things have changed. As a young kid that was pushing for the stars.”

Happily, strong interest in Bucknam remained.

“It was encouraging to see other schools interested after UW,” Bucknam related. “But I’ve got nothing but respect for those guys and the program.”

Enter Louisiana State University.

“LSU is LSU in the college baseball world,” the top-rated 2022 in British Columbia said about a program that has made 18 College World Series appearances, claiming six national championships. “You hear the name and everyone knows what comes along with it.”

One common bond for Bucknam and LSU is Jason Kelly, a former pitching coach at Washington who then went to Arizona State before landing a position as an assistant at LSU.

“He was one of the first names to come at me,” Bucknam said in reference to reentering the recruiting process. “He’s a guy I knew was looking out for me.”

After all, Kelly had recruited Bucknam as a youngster while a coach at UW.

“I’m blessed that he went to LSU with (new head coach) Jay Johnson,” noted the 63rd-ranked 2022 right-handed pitcher in North America.

Texas A&M, Louisville, Washington State and Wichita State were others with a high interest in Bucknam, who has topped out at 94 with his fastball, featuring a spin rate of 2544, to go along with a slider and changeup.

But Bucknam, who is taking online classes for MEI to complete his high school degree, was not about to pass up playing in the Southeast Conference with LSU and first-year head coach Johnson, who led Arizona to the College World Series this past season.

“As a kid you don’t realize you can play there and get to a point that they want you,” explained the 201st-ranked 2022 in North America. “They like power right-handers who compete on the big stage and they don’t have a bunch of right-handers in that class. And they realize the draft next year factors in this.”

While the past two years have been no-doubt a bit hectic, Bucknam understands the upcoming year is a big one.

“This year will be different than years in the past for me,” the 6-1 180-pounder concluded. “I’m older and understand the draft process. It’s cool that I can go through it again. Training will also be different. I’m going to try and put on weight. I’d like to sit 92-94 and touch 96.”

There is more that Bucknam is looking forward to in the coming year.

“I have a pitching coach and I’ve never had one before,” Bucknam said, referring to Trey Frahler with the Illinois Baseball Academy. “I’m really excited about where I can be four or five monts from now.”