Everyone who follows the Los Angeles Dodgers is talking about Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
It makes sense, though: they are the newcomers and they cost a billion dollars between the two.
On offense, they are also salivating about the prospect of pairing Ohtani with Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman at the top of the lineup.
However, everybody seems to be leaving starting pitcher Walker Buehler out of all discussions.
Buehler, if healthy, will be the Dodgers’ X-factor: that one star everybody is sleeping on, but who could return massive production and incredible results.
Since he missed the entire 2023 campaign with elbow surgery, he is being overlooked.
However, he has had a positive spring and an encouraging throwing session this week.
“Walker Buehler just threw two innings against some hitters. Seemed like it went well — got a round of applause afterwards,” Dodgers insider Fabian Ardaya tweeted.
Walker Buehler just threw two innings against some hitters. Seemed like it went well — got a round of applause afterwards.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 7, 2024
Buehler, for those who started watching baseball last year, has been one of the best and most consistent Dodgers starters since making his MLB debut in 2017.
He holds an excellent 3.02 ERA in 638.1 innings, even though injuries have gotten in the way from time to time.
In his last fully healthy campaign, 2021, he had an incredible 2.47 ERA in 207.2 frames.
Buehler is still just 29, so he is still in his prime.
If his arm bounces back strong after the surgery and the long recovery, he will post his usual incredible numbers and help the Dodgers make the playoffs.
He can be the difference between a truly dominant rotation and a merely good one.
NEXT: Yoshinobu Yamamoto Looked Human In Latest Outing