MLB Comeback Player of the Year Candidate: Hyun-Jin Ryu
Los Angeles Dodgers – Pitcher
He had shown his ability to throw in years past, but having been hampered by injuries year after year had downplayed his ability.
Add to it the fact he is not the face of the rotation by no one’s fault but that of the best pitcher of this generation; Clayton Kershaw.
Every time Ryu returned to the rotation, he would continue to be buried under Kershaw, Rich Hill, Alex Wood, Yu Darvish, Ross Stripling and now Walker Buehler. But since Ryu’s Opening Day start, it could not be brighter for the South Korean lefty.
The way he has thrown this season, he would have easily made the ‘For your WAY too early consideration’ list if not for a rocky April.
Due to a shortened start against the Cardinals because of a strained left groin, his ERA inflated despite having allowed no more than two runs in each of his starts this year.
It is because of this consistency that allowed Ryu’s ERA to settle back to below two; currently at 1.72.
He can thank a solid start to his May for how it lowered so quickly. This month, in just three starts, Ryu has racked up 25 innings pitched and allowed just one run. In those innings, he has compiled 21 strikeouts, a 0.40 WHIP and held the opposition to just a .113 batting average.
So despite a minor injury setback, Ryu has been an integral part of a consistently strong Los Angeles roster.