Comparing the Dodgers top five prospects to their MLB counterparts

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1. RHP Walker Buehler

MLB Counterpart: Carlos Martinez

The pride and joy of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm system is former College World Series Champion Walker Buehler. Buehler also needed Tommy John surgery — his when the Dodgers drafted him — that caused his stock to plummet. Thus, the most promising Vanderbilt prospect fell to the 24th overall pick while two of his teammates were picked in the top ten.

The Dodgers took a risk on Buehler and his injured arm. The risk looks to be paying off.

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Buehler has been great in the minor leagues thus, progressing pretty quickly through the ranks. Buehler pitched in advanced-A, AA and AAA all last season before becoming a September call-up. In the minors, Buehler made a combined 28 appearances, throwing 88.2 innings with a 3.35 ERA and 125 strikeouts.

Although he struggled during his September call-up, the potential for Buehler to be one face of a scary Dodgers rotation is definitely there, in fact, he has ace potential that will be blocked by Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urias. He will likely start the year in AAA and get a call-up when the Dodgers need rotation or bullpen depth.

The closest comparison to Buehler is Carindals pitcher Carlos Martinez. Martinez’ average 96.7 miles per hour fastball is right on line with where Buehler sits and his good curveball, slider and changeup give him a nearly identical pitch repertoire to Buehler.

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Martinez, of course, has been great and consistent for the Cardinals. Since 2015, his WAR has only differed by 0.1 per season and his combined ERA is 3.24. Any Dodger fan should be excited by that production from Buehler, except he may be even better.

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