Slow and Steady MLB Pitchers: Hyun-Jin Ryu
On a staff featuring Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler, it’s getting harder and harder to ignore Hyun-Jin Ryu.
From a performance standpoint, Ryu has obviously become the staff ace so far this season. He has a 5-1 record and 1.72 ERA in 52 innings, compiling a league-leading 0.73 WHIP.
Like Lester and Hendricks, he has found his stride in May. Ryu’s three starts this month have lasted a combined 25 innings with one run allowed, just 9 hits and only 1 walk.
Ryu is not overpowering. His 90.5 mph 4-seamer puts him in only the 9th percentile for velocity. Yet his ability to change speeds had enabled Ryu to compile a 28 percent K rate that ranks close to the top 20 percent. His walk rate? What walk rate? Ryu has faced 195 batters in his eight starts, and walked just three of them.
That may explain the 27 percent opponent swing rate against Ryu. After all, there’s no percentage in trying to wait him out. Those waiting or a far pitch are likely to have a long wait; only 5.3 percent of his pitches find the middle of the strike zone.
By contrast, more than four in 10 cut a corner.