Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers
Remember what we said about Wheeler and how his second-half ERA was better than deGrom’s? Walker Buehler didn’t best either of those hurlers but came immediately after them. His 2.03 ERA following the midsummer classic ranked fourth in baseball.
It was easy to overlook exactly how good he was as a rookie because of what Juan Soto and Ronald Acuna Jr. were doing, but the young righty had a terrific year. He was a ground-ball machine (50.0% clip) while posting a terrific 21.1% strikeout-to-walk rate. Buehler was solid everywhere, but he especially enjoyed pitching at home. He posted a microscopic 1.93 ERA and .228 opponent wOBA in 74.2 innings (3.45 ERA and .268 wOBA in 62.2 innings).
The 24-year-old is certainly on his way to being a household name, and what he does this year could help propel him there. That’ll be impressive in a division that also includes Kershaw, Madison Bumgarner, and Zack Greinke.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
