[Source: Sports Illustrated]
His name is dominating the popularity boards as a rising star in Major League Baseball. Walker Buehler is a 24 year old rookie in the LA Dodgers baseball team. Drafted in the first round of the 2015 First Year Player Draft, Buehler, who is also a Vanderbilt University alumni, is a player praised highly in the Dodgers team. In fact, Buehler performed very well in the minors despite only having spent two years in the minor leagues. Buehler was called up the Majors as a part of the September call ups in 2017 and was expected to perform well.
As of this current moment, Buehler has a noteworthy ERA (Earned Run Average) value of 2.62 and has performed beyond expectations down to the final days of the regular season. It is quite remarkable for Walker Buehler’s reputation to have risen to that comparable to Clayton Kershaw, a commendable “ace” of the Dodgers. Buehler’s recognition among the community of baseball aficionados is recognizably positive and seems to improve thereafter.
The LA Dodgers’ rising star Walker Buehler has some incredible traits, where they may surpass the excellence of Clayton Kershaw and outperform his potential limitations. One of these areas is the velocity of their pitches. For instance, Kershaw’s maximum velocity in his pitches is about 93-95 mph on the fastball. Buehler may be able to throw hard for a rookie, but that would cut in on his endurance. This means that Buehler will probably not maintain enough endurance to consistently throw fastballs at 99 mph. Not only is Buehler’s pitching velocity formidably impressive, his command is also very prevalent. Currently, the only pitch he has trouble in is his curveball, which he tends to spike to the air when his release is unstable.
Furthermore, Buehler’s slider pitch is particularly outstanding. Buehler’s slider seems to act more like a cutter than a slider because of the high velocity at which the pitch is being thrown. The slider seems to cut inside or away (depending on the handiness of the batter) instead of dropping and sliding away. Walker Buehler’s changeup is a pitch that could be very useful too when he learns to control it. The change up when it tails inside or away from the hitter can be very lethal .
This skill can easily outclass opponent players, and can have the viewers amazed by the stunning velocity at which the ball is delivered. Buehler’s main strikeout pitch is his curveball which he tends to not have the best control. For this, some claim that his slider technique might outrank that of Kershaw, where Kershaw’s slider is also professional and top-notch. In Buehler’s last outing against the Rockies in a winner take all tiebreaker, Buehler posted zero runs and 7 innings, affirming his brilliance on the field.
Contrasting to Buehler’s early quality gameplay, in Clayton Kershaw’s first seven starts of his career, he posted a 4.36 ERA, which, at the professional level, is not preferable. On the other hand, Walker Buehler posted a 2.20 ERA – an amazing start to his career that is prominently superb, even to the standards of Dodgers legend Sandy Koufax. Buehler calls home victory in many instances and has come through for the Dodgers at countless times of need, not allowing defeat to prevail.
[Source: MLB.com]
Walker Buehler is a fan favorite within Dodger fans too. Walker Buehler is becoming very popular among Dodger fans. When the Kershaw era of the Dodgers is over, Walker Buehler will inevitably become a fan favorite. On any Dodgers social media, Dodger fans are giving high praise to the young rookie. Fans have grown to trust that Walker Buehler will come through and will not be disappointed. Just recently, Buehler made his postseason debut and started it by giving up a grand slam, he would then go on to retire the next 10 batters in a row. Buehler obviously doesn’t allow many things to phase him and Dodger fans love it.
Arguably, one of Walker Buehler’s most astonishing achievements is the 2.62 ERA this season, a breakthrough worthy of the Rookie of The Year even against fierce competition like Ronald Acuna. Walker Buehler has broken numerous legendary measures, gaining the title as the biggest surprise for the Dodgers this year.
Based on his performance this year alone, Walker Buehler, when Kershaw is no more, will definitely take over as the reigning ace of the pitching rotation.
Jude Choi, Grade 10
John Marshall High School
