2019 Dodgers Review: Hyun-Jin Ryu

Hyun-Jin Ryu might not be on the Dodgers anymore, but his 2019 season in Los Angeles was one to remember. The southpaw was the Cy Young runner-up after leading the best season of his MLB career.

What went right

There is a long list of things that went right during Ryu’s last season in Dodger blue. He boasted a 5.3 bWAR, which is the most for a Dodgers pitcher that year and only trailed Cody Bellinger (9.0) and Max Muncy (5.7).

The first half of the season was particularly stellar for Ryu. He held a 1.72 ERA before the All-Star Break and held his opponents to a .221 batting average. His numbers steadily rose in the second half of the season as he had a few bumpy starts after July.

He held an ERA below 2.00 through mid-August and finished the year with a MLB-best 2.32 ERA. The Korean Monster also showed amazing control by walking only 24 batters over his 29 starts for a 3.3 BB%.

2019 was also a significant season in Ryu’s career because he was steadily healthy. His 29 games totaled for 182 ²⁄₃ innings pitched, an inning count he hasn’t reached since his 2014 season due to injuries.

What went wrong

As aforementioned, Ryu had a few rough starts after the All-Star Break. Most notably when he surrendered seven runs in back-to-back starts against the Yankees and Diamondbacks in late August. It was the turning point for his nice looking ERA, but he was still able to keep it low enough to take home the ERA title.

2019 Particulars

Age: 32

Stats: 14-5, 2.32 ERA, 1.007 WHIP, 182 ²⁄₃ IP, 163 K, 179 ERA+, 3.10 FIP

Salary: $17,900,000

Game of the year

Ryu had several stellar games in 2019, but one that stands out is his May 7 start against the Atlanta Braves. Ryu pitched a complete game shutout in only 93 pitches. It became the second complete game of his career and a gem of his 2019 season.

Roster status

Ryu signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in December for four years, $80 million.