The Los Angeles Dodgers farm system has produced some great pitchers over the years, with Pedro Martinez among the more notable names. He didn’t last long with the organization but did go on to have a Hall-of-Fame career.
A few others have come along since then, with Clayton Kershaw standing as the most prominent. But now it looks like the Dodgers have found their next great homegrown pitcher in Walker Buehler, who they drafted in the first round in 2015 out of Vanderbilt.
Buehler had another solid start on Thursday night against the Cincinnati Reds, giving up five hits and two runs in six innings while striking out eight without allowing a walk. His eight strikeouts matched a career high that was set as part of the combined no-hitter against the San Diego Padres.
Buehler’s performance came in losing effort though as the Dodger bats stayed quiet and they lost to the worst team in the National League, 4-1.
Buehler’s outing caught the attention of Martinez though, as he took to Twitter to compliment the young, hard-throwing righty:
Buehler has a great drop and drive, hooks the rubber, and a has good leverage of his legs, which is the old Dodger way. He is above and beyond what I was at the same age. #buehler #keepaneyeonhim
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) May 11, 2018
Buehler has made four starts for the Dodgers so far this year and has impressed to the tune of a 2-1 record to go along with a 1.64 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. He has 27 strikeuts compared to just seven walks in 22 innings of work.
Martinez and Buehler are very similar in they possess special arms that allow them to throw 100 mph despite having smaller frames than most pitchers.
With Kershaw on the disabled list, the Dodgers need every bit of success they can get out of their 23-year-old rookie.
