Los Angeles Dodgers: Reranking the Dodgers top ten prospects
By Jason Reed
3. RHP Walker Buehler (MLB Pipeline: 4)
The first of three consecutive Vanderbilt players to be taken by the Dodgers in the first round, Walker Buehler has the highest ceiling of all three. Buehler was taken 24th overall in the 2015 MLB Draft after a great college career. Buehler had a career 2.87 ERA in his three collegiate years and was a big part of Vanderbilt’s back-to-back title appearances.
In the Dodgers farm system, Buehler has continued this great pitching trend. Buehler only threw 5.0 innings up until this season, as he underwent Tommy John surgery in August of 2015. However, Buehler has bounced back nicely and has posted promising numbers in the minor leagues this season.
With Class A Rancho Cucamonga Buehler made five starts, owning a 0-0 record with a 1.10 ERA. In those five starts Buehler only threw for 16.1 innings, so it obvious the Dodgers are protecting him, but it was a great 16.1 innings at that. Buehler was missing bats, striking out 27 batters in those 16.1 innings.
That earned Buehler a call up to AA Tulsa, where he has hit a bump in the road but is still thriving. In 26.2 innings in AA Buehler owns a 3.04 ERA, striking out 29 batters. He is still averaging more strikeouts than innings pitched, but not the extent he was in Class A.
While Buehler may not have the same ceiling as Alvarez, he has bounced back quite nicely from Tommy John surgery. We may see Buehler in the big leagues as early as next season, and we should expect fireworks.