One September callup we want for each MLB team

Los Angeles Dodgers: Walker Buehler

The speculation has been building for months that the Dodgers will call up top pitching prospect Walker Buehler to pitch out of the bullpen for the stretch run. That the team did not trade for an elite reliever like Baltimore’s Zach Britton at the deadline and the fact that Buehler’s last six appearances at Triple-A have all come out of the bullpen have done nothing to squash that speculation.

Here’s what Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said about Buehler’s move to the bullpen, “He’s transitioning to this new role.  We’re very sensitive to having guys here who fit a certain role and have a purpose, and we haven’t made that decision with Walker.”

Buehler features a nasty arsenal of pitches that are reminiscent of a young Clayton Kershaw from the right side. He can run his fastball up to 99 mph and backs it up with a curveball, hard slider that borders on a cutter and a developing changeup. He has struck out 121 in only 85.2 innings this year with 29 walks.

David Price made his debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008 as a reliever and then dominated in their run to the World Series. The Dodgers would be wise to follow the same model with their own Vanderbilt, Buehler, this season. Winning over 115 games is nice, but winning the World Series is better.