Report: Walker Buehler Will Start For Dodgers Monday
When Rich Hill was placed on the 10-day disabled list, many Dodgers fans wondered who would take his place in the rotation. Different possibilities like Ross Stripling were discussed, or a more exciting option like rookie Walker Buehler. Today, the more exciting option was confirmed by Bill Shaikin of the LA Times. Buehler will make his first big league start tomorrow night.
#Dodgers announce that Walker Buehler, their top prospect, will make his first major league start tomorrow vs Marlins.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) April 22, 2018
It’s going to be an exciting Monday night, and it adds some color the the Miami Marlins series opener. Buehler is currently the 12th ranked prospect on MLB’s Prospect Pipeline. Fans should be excited to see his arsenal of pitches. He was said to have the top-ranked curveball in the minor leagues over the winter.
Buehler was electric in 2018 spring training action before being optioned. While this doesn’t figure to be a long-term solution to the rotation, we have seen how young players within the Dodgers’ organization can take a job and run with it (ahem, Cody Bellinger 2017). We should enjoy this for what it is – an early sneak-preview at a future rotation stud.
Analysis
This is exciting news to break on a Sunday. I have longed for the day that I could see what Walker Buehler could do in a big league start after seeing him in short spells at the tail end of 2017. I don’t think throwing a shutout would have him taking anyone’s current spot. It could however cause the Dodgers to insert him into the rotation should something arise in future months. This is a perfect example of having organizational depth. You lose a Rich Hill, so you insert a Buehler; one of the top prospect arms in baseball. It’s good to be the Dodgers right now, and we should enjoy this tomorrow night. This young man will be a fixture in the future for a long time.
