Dodgers Walker Buehler Aiding Front Office in Dustin May’s Development
Walker Buehler is one of the smartest players on the Dodgers’ roster. He is somewhat of a baseball savant, an intense competitor similar to the likes of Clayton Kershaw, and is Vanderbilt educated.
In a recent column penned by Andy McCullough of The Athletic, McCullough provides some interesting quotes regarding Walker Buehler and his opinions on the development of Dustin May.
You can find the link to article below:
Would the 2017 World Series have been different with Walker Buehler on the Dodgers roster? They’ll never know.
But they can try to make sure Dustin May is ready for the postseason in 2019. https://t.co/tkQlXWZjEp
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) August 7, 2019
Buehler and May
Supposedly, Walker Buehler has been tracking the development of right-handed rookie Dustin May since May was taken by the Dodgers in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
Buehler is someone who has been vocal in the past and it is pretty cool to see him taking a lead role in advocating for May’s development. It was not that long ago that Walker Buehler was the Dodgers’ top pitching prospect, so he knows a thing or two about May’s situation.
Learning From Mistakes
Here is the quote:
I told some of the front office guys, at that point, it probably would have benefited me to have more time, to settle in and get some of the [stuff] out of the way, and then try to get ready for the playoffs.
The Dodgers tried to place Walker Buehler in a position to be a valuable postseason bullpen piece in his rookie season, but Dave Roberts noted that Buehler never felt comfortable in the bullpen.
The question has yet to be answered with Dustin May, someone who currently occupies one of the Dodgers’ rotation spots. Buehler advocated for May to come up prior to September to get his feet wet with a ‘runway’:
I think they’re doing it differently with him, where they’re giving him a little bit more time, and a little bit more runway to learn the big leagues and learn the bullpen.
Overall
Buehler supporting the front office and Dustin May’s development is something that you don’t hear from every player, much less a 25-year-old in his second full MLB season. Regardless, Buehler’s similar experiences and his intelligence allow Dustin May’s development to be placed in the right eyes with his best interest in mind.
These youngsters are amazing…Buehler, May, Gonsolin, et. al.
GO BLUE!!!!
Starting Pitching has always been one of the keys to Dodger success. Next year the rotation could be Kershaw, Buehler, Urias, May and then a fight for the 5th slot with Gonsolin, Maeda, Stripling and others fighting it out. Or they may sign Ryu although with Boras as his agent I think he will sign elsewhere because they will demand a very long term contract.
The future looks bright indeed.
Everyone keeps saying Ryu will leave. I am not so sure about that one. Put yourself in his shoes for a minute. This is the only team in the states he has ever known. He is comfortable here, from all outward appearances. That whole dynamic, being from Korea and moving to the US etc. is a big step………after finally getting used to living here, getting to know your team mates, all the while over coming the language barrier……..would you want to pick up and suddenly move to say, Chicago or Atlanta or wherever, starting over somewhere you do not know anyone again, for a couple of million more dollars? He’s not greedy Greinke. Especially when you play for one of the best teams in ALL of MLB???? I wouldn’t. He’s going to get another big raise no doubt, but I don’t think the Dodgers are just going to sit back and let him leave without making a credible offer. Guess will see eventually…………
bluz I agree with you. I think the Dodgers will make a very credible offer for him. I believe Ryu will be back in Dodger Blue. One other big draw is the incredibly vibrant Korean Community in LA and the fan base. Greinke is an odd guy and I thought his suggestions that the Diamondbacks had a more promising future were off base as they have proven. Diamonbacks did get a very rich haul of promising players for Greinke however.
The current young pitchers coming up make me think the Dodgers may rewrite Maeda’s contract and use him as a BP arm. His slider and craft play well for small appearances. Gonsolin and May are too talented to have sit on the sidelines. Same goes for Stripling they need to trade him or use him.
Good points all!……When Greinke looks back on his decision making to opt out, he probably realizes he kept Arizona from reaching their full potential. I think his contract held them back from acquiring all the ancillary pieces they needed. Ariz was just trying to compete with the Dodgers, they were stupid to give him that contract they could not really afford. Once the big studs like Goldsmith and Pollock came up for renewals, the DBacks were screwed. If he had not left LA, the Dodgers would not have needed or acquired Darvish. Funny how the dominoes all fell. I think he also underestimated how good the Dodgers would become. Bet he kicks himself every now and then for leaving LA for the extra six million…….but then he and the wife add up his cash and still smile to themselves that it was worth it financially not to win a thing. (Grin!)
Reports state that many MLB scouts and Dodger coaches believe that Grey has the potential to be better than May or Gonsolin….!!!
His name is Jo Jo GRAY………and if he makes it to the big leagues we will have our man Puig to thank for it. I think Gray was Friedman’s target in that deal all along.
Yes Friedman got Grey and Jeter Downs who is projected as a potential All Star, If either one makes it big the Dodgers ripped off the Reds….
Not to mention Puig leaving gave playing time to Verdugo who deserved it and has played well.
One thing not talked about too much was Puig was terrible against Left Handed pitching where they really needed him to step up. Verdugo has very good splits. And Pollock is coming around when he isn’t injured. The guys is made of glass but thankfully the Dodgers have incredible depth. We just need a good right handed bat in the playoffs. I would keep Pollock in a padded container until then.
Irony alert……….it’s only been eight games but Puig’s looking pretty good in that Indians uni!