Dodgers Rumors: Players not on the 40-man that will make playoff roster

Walker Buehler – RHP

This one may be the most obvious, as Dodgers rumors circulating around Walker Buehler’s imminent call-up have been prominent in recent weeks. Los Angeles was able to acquire Yu Darvish from the Rangers without giving up any top three prospects. Buehler, who is arguably already big league ready alongside Alex Verdugo, will benefit immensely from this.

Buehler has the chance to do something special, join an already historic Dodgers team and win a World Series in his first MLB season. The 13th ranked prospect in baseball has had a steady climb in the Dodgers farm system this year.

Buehler started the season in A+ ball with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. There, Buehler tossed 16 1/3 innings, allowing just two earned runs and striking out 27 batters. In AA, Buehler threw 49 innings for the Tulsa Drillers, racking up a 3.49 ERA and 64 strikeouts.

This performance led to a mid-July call up to AAA Oklahoma City. Although his 5.09 ERA in 17 2/3 innings is a setback, Buehler still has managed to strike 26 batters out. The Vanderbilt alumni can strike professional hitters out at a great rate, making him the lucrative prospect that he is.

Buehler was moved to the bullpen in AAA, even recording a save at the time of this article. This is telegraphing the Dodgers intents with Buehler perfectly. They will call him up for bullpen help once the rosters expand. If the Dodgers win it all, Buehler could win both the College World Series and World Series within four years of each other.