Fantasy Baseball 2017 Prospect Watch: Dodgers Walker Buehler

The Dodgers have a bright future ahead with the current team and the prospects down in the minors. One of those prospects, Walker Buehler will join the roster soon.

The final month of the baseball season is very fun. If you haven’t tuned out to focus on that other sport, there’s still a lot to watch. With the rosters expanding, more players are getting a chance to play. These are the players you will be drafting in the future. One player with high expectations is Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler.

Buehler’s professional career didn’t get off to the best start as he underwent Tommy John surgery shortly after being drafted. He pitched just five innings in the 2016 season between Rookie and Single-A.

However, things changed this year when he moved from High-A to Double-A to Triple-A before being promoted. He made five starts, 16.1 innings, in High-A. In that time, he posted a 1.65 ERA, 0.796 WHIP, 14.9 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9.

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Buehler continued his bounce back season in Double-A when he posted a 3.49 ERA, 1.112 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 11.8 K/9 in 11 starts. He went 2-2 as well but I don’t think wins and loss should rest on the pitcher’s arm.

In Triple-A, Buehler made three starts but 12 appearances overall. He posted a 4.63 ERA and 1.286 WHIP, not the best for a prospect, but his strikeout rate is still good. Buehler had a 13.1 K/9 but a 4.2 BB/9. Allowing 11 walks in 23.1 innings is not a good look.

Buehler has pitched longer than five innings in any start of his career. It makes sense as he is a little over a year removed from TJ surgery so the Dodgers don’t want to push him much further. He may come in relief in the playoffs considering there are like 12 pitchers in the bullpen now.

Buehler’s fantasy value comes in 2018. The Dodgers have a lot of starting pitchers in the rotation. Clayton Kershaw, Yu Darvish, Alex Wood, Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda and Hyun-jin Ryu.I could see the team moving on from one or two of them to make room for Buehler. I could also see Buehler becoming a viable set-up option in the bullpen.

I could see the team moving on from one or two of them to make room for Buehler in the future. He has a 3.11 ERA and 1.062 WHIP in 19 starts in the minors. I could also see Buehler staying in the bullpen a set-up option behind Kenley Jansen, but his ratios aren’t as good.

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Buehler isn’t even available for pick up in ESPN leagues yet. Unless you’re in the deepest of leagues, I wouldn’t bother to add him. However, in dynasty and NL-only leagues, he could be a nice option for holds and strikeouts next year.

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