When word spread that Dodgers former 2015 first-round draft pick Walker Buehler was being promoted from the Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, it was one of those good news / bad news things.

The good news is that is moves the phenom right-hander one level closer to pitching under the lights at Dodger Stadium.

The bad news is that those of us living in Southern California must now wait until he gets there to watch him perform his magic on the mound again, with him no longer just a short drive down the 210 freeway from Blue Heaven on Earth.

The next time fans will get to see Dodgers fifth-ranked prospect Walker Buehler pitch in Southern California will be when he makes his MLB debut at Dodger Stadium – probably sometime during the 2018 season. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

As anticipate – perhaps even expected – the 22-year-old Crestview Hills, Kentucky native and former Vanderbilt University Commodores standout was brilliant in his Drillers debut on Friday night. And though the 6′-2″ / 175-pound hard-throwing right-hander was under a four-inning or 60-pitch count, thus denying him a shot at his first Double-A win, he allowed only two runs on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts in his four innings of work and actually hit the century mark on the stadium radar gun at NW Arkansas’ Arvest Ballpark.

“Walker was very good last night in his Double-A debut. He showed four plus-pitches,” said Drillers manager Ryan Garko. “His fastball comes out of the hand easy but explodes on the hitter at the same time.”

But in spite of his excellent debut with the Dodgers Double-A affiliate, Garko is cognizant of the fact that Buehler is not quite ready for The Show – not yet, that is.

“There’s a lot of work to do here in Tulsa and Walker knows that,” Garko said. “But last night was a great start for him.”

As most Dodger fans know, Buehler underwent Tommy John surgery shortly after being drafted and signed by the Dodgers. But in his two professional seasons since his return from his August 5, 2015 surgery, he is 1-0 (again because of that innings-limit thing) with a remarkable 1.42 ERA. However, in his five starts this season with the Quakes, Buehler posted a minuscule 1.10 ERA through his 16.1 innings pitched, while walking only five and striking out a (then) team-high 27.

Although Buehler will undoubtedly be stretched out with each successive outing, he most certainly won’t be cut loose to go nine anytime soon. That said, you can rest assured that Garko and everyone else on the Drillers’ roster are absolutely thrilled that he is in Tulsa instead of Rancho Cucamonga. Unfortunately for Quakes manager Drew Saylor and his team, along with those of us in So Cal who no longer get to watch Buehler pitch, the same cannot be said.

But then, that’s what the minor leagues are all about, right?

See you at The Ravine soon, Walker.