December 27th, 2018 at 9:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Since being drafted by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft (24th overall) out of Vanderbilt University as a 21-year-old, now 24-year-old Walker Buehler has often drawn comparisons to 1988 Cy Young award-winner, three-time All-Star, 1988 World Series champion, 1988 World Series MVP, Gold Glove winner, Silver Slugger winner, NLCS and ALCS MVP, and one-time MLB MVP Orel Hershiser – not only because of their physical similarities and pitching styles, but also because they are both right-handers.
But there is another former Dodger that the extremely polite and very articulate Lexington, Kentucky native is drawing comparisons to after only two seasons (32 games) in the major leagues – that of Hall of Fame Dodger left-hander Sandy Koufax, who was dubbed “The Left Arm of God” throughout his 12-year MLB career.
Without question, it is way too early to entertain even a passing thought that Buehler will finish his MLB career with numbers even remotely close to those of the man many consider to be the greatest left-hander to ever play the game, or to even begin to considered him “The Right Arm of God.” In fact, the analytics-based tactics used in today’s game – especially by the Dodgers – make it all but impossible.
Additionally, Buehler would have to surpass the career accomplishments of fellow right-handers named Walter Johnson, one-time Dodgers Pedro Martinez and Greg Maddox (albeit only briefly), and, of course, Cy Young, after whom … well, you know. And this extremely short list doesn’t even include Dodgers Hall of Fame right-hander and Southern California native Don Drysdale who, quite frankly, should have had that title bestowed upon him while pitching with Koufax during the late 50’s and throughout the 60’s. (Talk about a missed opportunity by Dodgers beat writers at the time).
All but impossible indeed.
That being said, the clever label is still available and Psalm 118:16 reads: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
(Photo credit – Kevin Sullivan)
Although the sample size is ridiculously small to even consider mentioning Buehler’s name in the same breath with Johnson, Young, Martinez, Maddox, and Drysdale, he has been extremely effective in his combined 24 MLB appearances (23 starts). He will head into his third MLB season with a record of 11-6 (.643) and an ERA of 2.95, having pitched a combined total of 146.2 innings that includes 151 strikeouts and 37 walks for an excellent K/BB ratio of 3.62, while allowing only 14 total home runs.
Is this worthy of the title “The Right Arm of God?”
Most certainly not.
…not yet, that is.
Play Ball!
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Imagine how Walker must have felt at the moment pictured above. First the standing ovation. Then to top it off Sandy Koufax right in front.
Man,I can almost feel it. That is truly an outstanding photo.
We must also remember that it was in the World Series, the Dodgers only win.
Man, this car I just bought might be the best car I ever owned!I know, I know, I’ve only had it for 2 weeks, but if it runs like this for the next 10 yrs it WILL be the best car I’ve ever owned…… just saying!
My 2008 GMC Yukon XL is (wait for it…) 10 years old. Still runs great, even with 188,000 miles on it.
You just never know.
BTW: I DO NOT see the Dodgers giving Harper a 10-year deal. A shorter deal with a higher AAV possibly, but not 10 years.
Although I am enthusiastic about his potential, why don’t we give the kid some buffer space and not put *too much* pressure on him? I might be conservative since he’s already pitched at least a couple must-win games –and won.
^^^ ‘Ya think?
Man, I know writers have to have SOMEthing to write about but c’mon, give the kid a break. He’s a wonderful young pitcher and as a baseball fan; not to mention a dyed-in-the-wool Dodgers fan, I hope he has a tremendous career but this article is ridiculous.
Think so. Great article.
I don’t know if Buehler will end up being known as the “The Right Arm of God”, but he is my favorite Dodgers starting pitcher.
They don’t dole out catchy nicknames / phrases like that anymore (as some people obviously don’t realize), but I agree wholeheartedly.
It’s been Kershaw and (fill in the blank) throughout his remarkable 11-year career. But it will soon be Buehler and then Kershaw and then (fill in the blank).
Can’t wait until Dustin May gets the call (I’m guessing September 1). The three of them will rival any current trio out there.
Yeah, and don’t forget Urias and Ferguson as potential young studs. We have the makings for a great 1 through 5 rotation.
Now that Friedman traded Puig, I’d rather keep Verdugo than trade him for Kluber.
You seem to have forgotten to include his 2017 MLB stats.
You’re kidding, right?
Not even a little bit. Go look at baseball reference if you don’t believe me. The stats that you list in the article are just 2018.