Who Is Walker Buehler, Boston’s New All-Star Pitcher?

The Boston Red Sox made a big splash in free agency, reportedly signing 30-year-old right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler to a one-year deal worth $20.5 million.

What will the Red Sox get? Buehler is another top-of-the-rotation starter who could give Boston a solid one-two punch along with lefty Garrett Crochet.

Until signing with Boston, Buehler had spent his entire career in the Dodgers organization. A first-round pick in 2015, Buehler is a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion with the Dodgers.

Buehler, a Kentucky native, was originally drafted in 2012 but chose to play college baseball at Vanderbilt. During his run with the Commodores, Buehler was part of the 2014 College World Series championship team. That same year, he spent the summer in Massachusetts playing for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Buehler has a history of arm injuries. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015, shortly after being drafted by the Dodgers. Buehler underwent Tommy John surgery again in 2022, forcing him to miss the entire 2023 MLB season. Buehler returned in 2024, but struggled during the regular season.

However, Buehler came on strong in the playoffs, especially as a reliever. Buehler came in to close Game 5 against the Yankees on just one day’s rest and pitched a 1-2-3 inning to win the championship.

Bühler is more than familiar with references for the movie “Ferris Buehler’s Day Off.” It is part of his social media, @buehlersdayoff21.

“I actually like the movie,” Buehler said to Jon Weisman after being drafted. “I’ve seen it a bunch of times, probably 10 times. It’s one of those things where you come to your first day of school, every teacher is trying to reinvent the wheel, do the whole skit, so at one point I just went with it .”

The Red Sox land Buehler at a unique time in his career. He struggled for most of 2024 after recovering from Tommy John surgery. As a result, this contract looks like a one-year “prove it” deal.

Buehler struggled during the 2024 regular season. But if he shines in Boston, the right guys could be in line for a monster contract in 2025.

For now, Buehler and his mid-90s fastball figure to be a fixture at the top of the Red Sox rotation.

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