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MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players under 25

By Joshua Sadlock

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 17: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a fly ball to left field for an out in the fourth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays played on May 17, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 17: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a fly ball to left field for an out in the fourth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays played on May 17, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 17: Walker Buehler #64 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 17, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 17: Walker Buehler #64 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 17, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

20. Walker Buehler

The Los Angeles Dodgers waited patiently for nearly three years for the chance to see what right-hander Walker Buehler could do if given a chance to stick in the rotation. For as careful as management wanted to be with the 24-year-old, who had Tommy John right after being drafted, it was hard for fans not to call for Buehler after he struck out nearly 13 per nine in his first full season back from surgery.

Injuries to multiple big names in the Dodgers rotation forced Buehler to be called up (though it was always in the cards that he would pitch in LA at some point this season) and stuck in the rotation. Now, he’s here to stay and dominating each time he takes the ball.

Through six starts and 34 innings, Buehler is 2-1 with a 2.38 ERA and has struck out 10.6 per nine while allowing only two home runs and an opponent’s batting average of .194. This has been worth the wait.

The Dodgers may forever rue the decision to call up phenom Jose Urias at the age of 19, but Buehler appears to have dodged the injury bug and has been handled well. The key now will be to avoid pushing Buehler too much as a rookie as the Dodgers attempt to dig themselves out of an early-season hole.

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