It’s a phrase or expression that gets tossed around way too often – ‘Future Hall of Famer.‘ But if the shoe – or ring – fits, wear it.

Although only in his sixth major league season, Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler is a ‘Future Hall of Famer.‘

Too soon for you to take a bite of this forbidden apple? Understood. But check this out. In his (thus far) 109 career games (100 starts), the 27-year-old Lexington, KY native and Dodgers first-round draft pick in 2015 out of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, is already 44-14, for an insane 7.59 winning percentage. He also owns an equally insane 2.85 career ERA and has one of only two complete games to be thrown thus far this season, doing so in his April 25, 4-0 shutout of the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. In that game, Buehler made 108 total pitches, of which 75 were strikes. The only other complete game pitched thus far this season was by Washington Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin in his May 4 loss to the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

Taking it one step (bite) further, Buehler has allowed only one run over his last three starts (21.0 innings pitches). That equates to a ridiculous 0.43 ERA.

For those blessed to speak with Buehler in person, the absolute first thing they will notice about him is his tremendous humility. Not only does he rarely speak of his own accomplishments, he always credits his teammates for them … as in always.

“He’s thrown the heck out of the baseball for us,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters following Buehler’s stellar performance on Sunday. “Obviously we expect – he expects – to always be better and continue to get better. He’s been fantastic. Effective, efficient, logging innings and performing. So tonight was a good night.”

To what does Buehler credit his increasing success? That would be his significantly improved cut fastball.

“I think in this game you have to make adjustments, and throwing that pitch more was a big adjustment for me last year and especially trying to get lefties out,” Buehler said. “Now I’m trying to throw it more to right-handers than I have in the past and protect my slider. So it’s been good.”

Good indeed.

While some – perhaps many – may not be ready to go there yet, many others already have:

I present to you ‘Future Hall of Famer‘ Walker Buehler.

Play Ball!

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