Walker Buehler

Walker Buehler missed all of the 2023 following Tommy John surgery. He is a question mark heading into 2024. In 2021, he looked like the dominant pitcher everyone expected him to be, only to crater in 2022 with the injury. The argument for drafting Buehler as an SP3 is that he pitches for the Dodgers (stadium + team = good things) and becomes a free agent after the season. Many pitchers experience a "honeymoon" period following TJ surgery, and it could be a savvy move to grab him in the mid-rounds. The knock against him is that he will turn 30 in July, and his track record has been anything but consistent. It is a dice roll that can pay off for the right price.

Walker Buehler's Modest Outing Helps Dodgers Over Padres

Walker Buehler delivered a decent performance, allowing one earned run on five hits and one walk while striking out one over five innings in the Dodgers' 7-2 victory over the Padres on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact

Despite the win, Buehler's season has been less than stellar, marked by a high 5.38 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP across 16 starts. His low strikeout rate of 7.6 K/9 and a concerning 5.54 FIP suggest ongoing struggles. This outing, while helpful for the Dodgers, does little to boost Buehler's shaky fantasy value, as his metrics indicate potential continued volatility. Fantasy managers should remain cautious, as his performance lacks the dominance once expected from him.