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| Alan Busenitz | |
|---|---|
| Name | Alan Busenitz |
| Position | Pitcher |
| Bats | Right |
| Throws | Right |
| Birth date | 2 September 1986 |
| Birth place | Apopka, Florida |
| Debutleague | MLB |
| Debutdate | June 13 |
| Debutyear | 2017 |
| Debutteam | Atlanta Braves |
| Statyear | 2019 season |
| Stat1label | Win–loss record |
| Stat1value | 5–1 |
| Stat2label | Earned run average |
| Stat2value | 4.04 |
| Stat3label | Strikeouts |
| Stat3value | 80 |
Alan Busenitz (born September 2, 1986) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, and Los Angeles Angels. A right-handed reliever, he also spent time in Nippon Professional Baseball with the Saitama Seibu Lions and in multiple minor and independent leagues including the Gwinnett Braves, Reno Aces, and Salt Lake Bees. Known for a sidearm delivery and a sinker-slider mix, he reached the majors after several seasons in the Atlanta Braves farm system and later appeared in international competition in Japan.
Born in Apopka, Florida, Busenitz attended Auburn University affiliate programs through the Auburn Tigers baseball pipeline after pitching at Mount Dora Christian Academy and showcasing talent at regional events connected to USA Baseball and the Perfect Game USA circuit. He played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Brewster Whitecaps, where scouts from organizations such as the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs observed his unusual arm slot and groundball tendencies. His amateur development intersected with coaching staffs influenced by techniques from franchises like the St. Louis Cardinals and the Oakland Athletics, and he trained alongside prospects linked to the Major League Baseball Draft.
Busenitz was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 25th round of the MLB Draft and began his professional career in the Braves' minor league system with stops at the Rome Braves, Myrtle Beach Pelicans, and Mississippi Braves. After progressing through Double-A and Triple-A levels with affiliates including the Gwinnett Braves and appearances against organizations such as the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays in interleague exhibitions, he debuted for the Atlanta Braves in 2017. Later that season he was claimed by the Minnesota Twins and made appearances at Target Field, joining a bullpen that had shared rosters with pitchers from the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals systems.
In 2018 and 2019 Busenitz moved between the majors and Triple-A, pitching for the Rochester Red Wings and the Salt Lake Bees after signing minor league deals with the Los Angeles Angels and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also spent time in independent circuits and winter leagues associated with clubs like Cuban National Series-affiliated teams and Latin American winter leagues where players from the Cuban national team and Dominican Republic national baseball team compete. In 2020 he signed with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball, joining a roster that has included former Major League Baseball players such as Fumikazu Kimura and Yusei Kikuchi.
Throughout his career Busenitz faced competition from pitchers across organizations including the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros, and San Francisco Giants, and worked under coaching staffs influenced by philosophies from the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox development models. He also experienced transactions involving franchises like the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs while navigating the professional landscape shaped by the Collective Bargaining Agreement and roster rules of Major League Baseball.
Busenitz employed a low three-quarter to sidearm arm slot reminiscent of relievers from the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates histories, generating horizontal movement that produced weak contact. His primary offerings included a heavy sinker and a sweeping slider, used in sequencing similar to tactical approaches seen in the bullpens of the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays. Scouting reports compared his groundball rates and platoon splits to relievers who had success against left-handed hitters in the National League and American League, and analytics teams from organizations such as the Cleveland Guardians and Seattle Mariners evaluated his spin rates and release points using systems developed by Statcast and TrackMan.
Busenitz's personal life includes ties to Florida communities and participation in charitable events akin to those run by the Major League Baseball Players Association and local Little League Baseball programs. He has been involved in community outreach similar to initiatives by the Atlanta Braves Foundation and has connections with coaches and former teammates who have played for franchises including the Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago White Sox. Outside baseball, he has interests that align with athletes who pursue coaching, mentorship, and business ventures post-playing career, often interacting with alumni networks from institutions like Auburn University.
Over his MLB tenure Busenitz recorded a win–loss record and earned run average reflective of middle-relief usage, compiling strikeouts and innings across appearances for the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, and Los Angeles Angels. His minor league service included seasons with the Gwinnett Stripers and Rochester Red Wings, and his international stint in Nippon Professional Baseball with the Saitama Seibu Lions added to a professional resume that spans affiliated baseball, independent leagues, and overseas play. Achievements in his career included being promoted to a major league roster, contributing to bullpen depth during pennant races influenced by teams like the New York Yankees and Houston Astros, and representing the pathway from lower-round MLB Draft selections to the majors, a trajectory seen in players developed by organizations such as the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox.
Category:1986 births Category:Living people Category:Baseball pitchers Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Atlanta Braves players Category:Minnesota Twins players Category:Los Angeles Angels players