The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to call up Walker Buehler on Wednesday, which would amount to the organization having their top two prospects in Majors, as Alex Verdugo joined the team last weekend.
The promotion will add another layer to what’s been an impressive 2017 campaign for the right-hander. In his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery, Buehler has pitched for High-A Rancho Cucamonga, Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City.
There were rumblings during the spring that the Dodgers viewed Buehler as a candidate to make his MLB debut once active rosters expanded. He received consideration to break camp with the Dodgers for the exhibition Freeway Series, but was optioned to Triple-A prior to that point.
While the organization aggressively moved Buehler up the Minor League ladder, one scout recently said he didn’t believe the pitching prospect was prepared for Triple-A, via Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball:
Scouts absolutely love top right-handed prospect Walker Buehler. But one said he didn’t look ready for Triple-A to him.
The remarks were made shortly after Buehler began to shift to a role as a reliever. His first game out of the bullpen was particularly rough, as the 23-year-old allowed three runs on two hits, including a home run.
In nine total relief appearances for Oklahoma City, Buehler recorded one save, allowed seven runs in 13.1 innings (4.73 ERA) and recorded 19 strikeouts against five walks. Overall with OKC, he went 1-1 with a 4.63 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 12 games (three starts).
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the young righty would receive his share of opportunities to pitch his way onto the postseason roster. Buehler was selected by the Dodgers as the Branch Rickey Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
