Dodgers Rumors: Walker Buehler Agrees To Terms, Has ‘Elbow Issue’

UPDATE (July 17, 3:05 p.m. PT): The Los Angeles Dodgers officially announced the signing of Vanderbilt pitcher Walker Buehler, as well as Florida International University first baseman and sixth-round pick Edwin Rios, and 30th-round selection Logan Crouse out of Bloomingdale High School in Florida.

UPDATE (July 17, 1:50 p.m. PT): According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, No. 24 overall pick from the 2015 MLB Draft Walker Buehler will sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers for an estimated $1.7 million:

Buehler dodgers deal will give him in neighborhood of $1.7M. No. 24 overall. Vandy pitcher.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 17, 2015

Facing a 2 p.m. PT deadline to come to terms with unsigned 2015 draft picks, the Los Angeles Dodgers appear to have split the difference with their first two selections — Walker Buehler and Kyle Funkhouser, both right-handed pitchers.

Funkhouser announced himself Friday morning he opted against signing with the Dodgers and instead will return to Louisville for a senior season. Given the expected talent pool in the 2016 Draft, his decision is somewhat of a surprise. Though, when taking into account Funkhouser was once believed to be taken higher in the draft and that he’s a Scott Boras client, it’s slightly more understandable.

After missing out on Funkhouser, the Dodgers rebounded by reportedly agreeing to terms with Buehler below slot value, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports:

walker buehler, vandy pitcher, said to agree to dodgers deal. pick No. 24. it'll be under the $2,094,400 slot.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 17, 2015

Getting the No. 24 overall pick to reportedly sign below the roughly $2 million slot value can perhaps be tied to Buehler battling some elbow trouble:

walker buehler, dodgers top pick, is said to have elbow issue.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 17, 2015

Buehler suffered from elbow soreness in his junior season with Vanderbilt, but put together a stretch of strong outings to help guide the defending College World Series champions to a second trip to Omaha. Despite the right-hander’s best efforts, the Commodores fell short of repeating as they lost to Virginia.

In a comparison that may now be too uncanny, Buehler likened himself to Zack Greinke, who is having a career season for the Dodgers this year. Bueherl went 5-2 with a 2.95 ERA, 92 strikeouts and 30 walks in 88.1 innings over 16 starts.

Shortly after the draft concluded Dodgers director of amateur scouting Billy Gasparino identified Buehler and Funkhouser as prospects who potentially could make contributions in the Majors next season.

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