College Sports

JACKSONVILLE — At just 22, one might already consider former Saks baseball standout J.J. Buchanan a journeyman of sorts.

Though the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder has yet to reach what he hopes will be his final destination — a career in Major League Baseball — he's already spent time at three different colleges in as many states, pursuing the passion that folks have been telling him from his days as a little leaguer he could one day turn into a profession.

Now, after completing his college career at Division I Alcorn State University in Lorman, Miss. — with stops at Bevill State Community College in Jasper and Prairie View A&M University in Texas — Buchanan is back in Calhoun County, where it all started.

He's one of only two graduated seniors listed as player-coaches playing on the East Alabama Big Train in the Great South League, a wooden bat league made up of recent high school grads and current college players.

Even in the midst of getting his grind on, that he might one day shine on the big league diamond, Buchanan is making yet another transition. The lifelong second baseman making the switch to the outfield in order to appease the assessment of scouts, who think his skill set could be more profitable in the grass, as opposed to the dirt.

"If I get drafted, they may change my position and switch me to the outfield," said Buchanan, who was hitting a beastly .407 with five home runs and 23 RBIs.

"I'm trying to get ready if they change my position. I played second base all my life, but right now it's about getting that money. If they want me in the outfield, then I'll go out in the outfield. I'm an athlete. I can play anywhere on the field."

But then again, change is nothing new to Buchanan.

There was the change he made his sophomore year in high school, when he decided to once again play baseball after putting down America's past time for two years. Then, Wildcats coach Chad Hudson — now at White Plains — said it only took the three-sport star a couple months to work out the kinks. By the end of that spring he was a regular starter.

Three successful years later, Buchanan went to become one of a dozen players from The Star's coverage area to be named to the 2004 Diamond Dazzlers squad, following a senior season in which he hit .411 to go along with six home runs, 38 RBIs and 10 doubles while helping guide the Wildcats to an area championship and a berth in the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs.

From Saks, he took his act nearly two hours and more than 100 miles west to Bevill State, where he played well enough in two seasons to earn a scholarship to Prairie View A&M University in Texas. But a beef with the Panthers' coaching staff regarding playing time caused Buchanan to bounce after his junior year and head for another Southwestern Conference school.

"I got a call from the coach at Alcorn and he said he had a spot on the team for me," Buchanan said. "I asked what position I'd be playing and he said, 'Second base.' I told him I'd be there in the fall."

All Buchanan did in his lone season as a Brave was lead the conference in RBIs, with 61.

"J.J. was certainly one of the best players I've ever coached," said Hudson, who guided the Wildcats to their first county baseball title in 20 years in Buchanan's junior year. "He always had those, super-ultra-quick hands at the plate … He'll have no problem making the transition because he's such a good athlete."

Big Train General Manager Curtis Bumgarner said the Seattle Mariners have expressed interest in Buchanan. He added that he's waiting on returned calls from a couple others, including one team's head of scouting who has inquired about the slugger. Bumgarner said he expects Buchanan to sign a deal with a minor league team in the fall.

"Everything I've been hearing about him (from Major League teams) has been very good and very positive."

The Big Train is 19-7 and in second place in the Great South League's Southern Division going into today's regular season finale against the Georgia Stars in LaGrange. They'll then head to Tallahassee, Fla., for the for the division championship, beginning Friday at 1 p.m. If they win there, it's on to the League championship in Macon, Ga., on July 30-31.

You can download Big Train games online by logging on at http://www.eteamz.com/bigtrain and clicking on the "team line" link.