Betts: Bucknam lands with Blue Jays after stellar season at Dallas Baptist

Abbotsford Cardinals, Langley Blaze and Junior National Team grad Micah Bucknam (Abbotsford, B.C.), shown here with Dallas Baptist University, was selected in the fourth round of the 2025 MLB draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. Photo: Dallas Baptist University Athletics

September 10, 2025

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

Well before right-handed pitchers Micah Bucknam (Abbotsford, BC) and Cam Leiter (Maple Ridge, BC) became two of the top Canadians selected in the 2025 draft, they could be found squaring off on the sandlots of British Columbia.

Bucknam for the Abbotsford Angels and Leiter, the nephew of Toronto Blue Jays World Series champion Al Leiter, for the Ridge Meadows Royals and later Langley Blaze.

“I remember playing against him,” Bucknam said.

“At the time, I never would’ve thought there was going to be these two guys that play pro ball. You never know who you’re playing against and you ultimately never know who’s going to be in the major leagues one day.”

Years later, and with a little more polish, Bucknam was taken by the Blue Jays, for the second time, in the fourth round, 112th overall. The Los Angeles Dodgers made Leiter the 65th overall pick in the second round.

Bucknam’s days in Abbotsford competing against Leiter, who moved stateside following a stint with the Langley Blaze, was just the start of a winding career that’s led him to the bayou of Louisiana, the heart of Texas and now back to his home country.

His ties to the Blue Jays began four years ago as a highly touted 18-year-old, when his native team selected him in the 16th round of the 2022 draft following a high school career with the Abbotsford Cardinals, those same Langley Blaze and Junior National Team.

But when signing deadline day came around, the two couldn’t come to a deal and Bucknam opted to take the college route to play for the powerhouse LSU Tigers.

His time in Baton Rouge was highlighted by pitching alongside Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes and winning a College World Series in 2023.

It wasn’t all glitz and glamour, though. Appearing in just 16 games in two seasons, he knew he had more to offer and decided to enter the transfer portal.

Upon submitting his name to find a new spot to play, the phone rang and rang with offers. When the dust settled, Dallas Baptist University swayed him.

After a 2025 season that saw him go 6-1 with a 4.37 ERA as the Patriots’ Friday night starter, it was the Blue Jays who came calling, again.

“The first three rounds come and go,” Bucknam said of the first night of the draft.

“I remember getting a phone call in the morning and my agent said I was going early. When they (the Blue Jays) called me the second time, it was pretty insane. It was a dream come true”

Bucknam’s thankful for his initial selection as a high schooler but believes his path has gone as it was meant to. He feels the experiences and lessons learned during his college career have put him in an optimal position to succeed now.

“I remember sitting there and feeling like it was way more tangible,” Bucknam said of heading into the draft as a college player compared to high school.

“When you go through it in high school, you’re young and there’s a lot you have to learn as a player. When you go to college, I have three years of mistakes that I’ve learned and grown (from). Sometimes you need to get your teeth kicked in to figure it out.”

Bucknam won’t pitch in games for the remainder of the year after accumulating 59 2/3 innings during the college season. His development over the next little while is focused on getting comfortable in the organization and preparing for his first professional season in 2026.

When he does toe the rubber as a pro in the spring, it’ll be the start of the next chapter he’s eager to write.

“For me, I’ve dreamed of where I could be and what could happen,” he said.

“I feel like the sky’s the limit at this point.”