The “Korean Monster” Ryu Hyun-jin (Toronto) has proven himself in just four games after a 14-month absence. The local media is already talking about the need for an extension.
With the returning ace showing a faster-than-expected recovery, local media in Canada have begun to call for an extension. “Ryu’s pitching was undoubtedly the driving force behind the victory,” said Canadian media outlet Sportsnet after the game in Toronto on Nov. 21 (KST), adding that Ryu “pitched his best stuff since his surgery.”
On the same day, Ryu started a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, giving up two runs (unearned) on five hits and four walks with seven strikeouts in five innings to earn his second win of the season.
Most importantly, he pitched a no-hitter for the third consecutive game, showing flashes of the ace he once was, drawing rave reviews from the Canadian media. Ryu gave up two runs on the day, but both were unearned runs that resulted from defensive errors.
In addition, three of his four starts since his return have been unearned. Ryu has pitched 14 innings of no-hit ball in three consecutive games, starting on Aug. 8 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and is gradually building a perfect comeback season. He lowered his season ERA from 2.57 to 1.89 and moved into the single digits.
While he’s still limited to five innings, Ryu has pitched six or seven innings per outing, which is more than enough for the Toronto bench to maximize protection given his nearly 14-month recovery from Tommy John surgery. Toronto is protecting Hyun-Jin Ryu by using the typical model of a pitcher who has had Tommy John surgery, when in fact he is proving himself to be anything but a typical pitcher.
Most importantly, Ryu’s rapidly improving command of his pitches since his return seems to have impressed the local media. Mike Wilner, a columnist for the Toronto Star, wrote on social media after the game on Nov. 21, “Hyun-jin Ryu pitched brilliantly again. “It’s amazing to see a player who has been rehabbing for more than 14 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery show such good control. Most players who undergo Tommy John surgery are the last to regain their velocity,” he said, adding that he was impressed by Ryu’s quick recovery.
Indeed, Ryu struggled in his first game back, allowing one run on nine hits in Baltimore, but he quickly bounced back with a four-inning no-hitter and a walk in Cleveland on Aug. 8 before being hit by a pitch. He followed that up with five innings of two-hit ball against the Cubs on April 14, giving up two runs on three hits with two walks and three strikeouts, and then five innings of four-hit ball against Cincinnati on April 21, giving up two runs on seven hits with one walk and seven strikeouts, as he gradually regained the strikeout-to-walk ratio of his prime.
There are still some concerns about his velocity. Through 21 games, Ryu’s average velocity is 87.4 mph (140.9 km/h), which is slower than his average velocity this season (88.7 mph). But he’s still pitched aggressively, winning complete games against hitters and giving up just two hard hits.
That’s why American and Canadian media praised Ryu’s performance and used the word “dominate” to describe it. While his stuff wasn’t special, his pitching certainly looked special.
Canadian media outlet Sportsnet, which praised Ryu’s pitching in an article, also reviewed his two wins on its radio program and argued for an extension.
“Toronto has five potential starting pitchers for next year, but given the way Ryu has been performing, they could offer him a one-year deal or a two-year deal with an option,” Sportsnet said.
At the same time, Sportsnet said, “However, if Ryu is eligible for free agency again, he could choose a team in the West, such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he has played in the past,” which could be seen as indirectly putting pressure on the club if Toronto is unable to retain Ryu even if they wanted to.
Toronto already has a solid starting rotation, but the nostalgia brought back by their former ace is a testament to the power of the Canadian media.온라인카지노
Ryu has only pitched four games after a 14-month layoff. It’s hard to tell if he’s back to his old tracks in terms of velocity or innings pitched. But the fact that he’s already talking about an extension is a reminder of how good he is.
Ryu’s current form is enough to warrant another free agency bonanza. There are more and more pitchers in the major leagues who are playing as aces even in their late 30s. His prospects are even brighter because he’s not a pitcher who relies on velocity or location. If Ryu continues to improve over the rest of the season, he should be able to secure a two- to three-year deal.