Will ‘Korean Monster’ Ryu Hyun-jin (36) be able to enjoy the fall stage wearing the Toronto Blue Jays uniform?
Toronto will play the first game of the 2023 Major League Baseball postseason wild card against the Minnesota Twins on the 4th (Korean time). I barely secured my ticket to the fall baseball season, and I had a chance to make up for the disappointment of failing to advance to the division series last year.
Ryu Hyun-jin was also able to perform on the fall stage for the first time in three years since the 2020 wild card match. But it’s not confirmed yet. This is if Ryu Hyun-jin is on Toronto’s postseason roster.
MLB.com predicted Toronto’s fall roster. On the mound, it was expected that the starting lineup would include Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassett, Jose Berrios, and Yusei Kikuchi. In the bullpen, we looked at the list of Jordan Romano, Jordan Hicks, Eric Swanson, Tim Mayza, Imi Garcia, Chad Green, Genesis Cabrera, and Trevor Richards. 12 pitchers were expected.
Gausman is likely to be the starter in Game 1. MLB.com said, “Gausman is Toronto’s undisputed ace. “He is having an elite season, pitching 185 innings and recording an ERA of 3.16 and 237 strikeouts.” Gausman has won 12 regular seasons for two consecutive seasons since 2022 when he wore the Toronto uniform.
When Ryu Hyun-jin left the LA Dodgers as a free agent and came to Toronto, he was expected to be the ‘1st starter’ and ‘ace’. But that modifier was passed on to Gausman.레고토토
Still, Ryu Hyun-jin showed that he is healthy after returning from elbow surgery this year. In his last appearance of the season, against Tampa Bay on the 1st, he was kicked out early after allowing 2 runs in 3 innings, but his highest four-seam speed during the away trip to Tampa Bay on the 24th of last month was up to 90.8 mph (about 146 km), up from 89.4 mph (143.9 km).
There is no problem with control either. Nevertheless, MLB.com said, “It is difficult to imagine Ryu Hyun-jin as the fifth starter.” After Gausman, Toronto’s starting lineup is expected to include Chris Bassett, Jose Berrios, and Yusei Kikuchi.
There is no possibility that Ryu Hyun-jin will be used as a bullpen pitcher. The bullpen includes Jordan Romano, Jordan Hicks, Eric Swanson, Tim Mayza, Imi Garcia, Chad Green, Genesis Cabrera, and Trevor Richards.
MLB.com predicted Toronto’s starting lineup for the first game of the wild card game and even looked at the bullpen.
George Springer (right fielder), Brandon Belt (designated hitter), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (first baseman), Bo Bichette (shortstop), Cavern Biggio (second baseman), Alejandro Kirk (catcher), Kevin Kiermaier (center fielder), Matt Chapman (third baseman), Dalton Basho ( It was expected that the batting order would be in that order (left fielder).
Meanwhile, MLB.com said, “Toronto has the best (bullpen) pitchers in Romano and Hicks. “He can be used alternately as a finisher and a set-up man,” he said, adding, “In front of him, using Swanson is an excellent choice.” “Mayza is one of the best left-handers this season, and Green has returned to his perfect form. “Garcia could be a strong option in the middle.”
Ryu Hyun-jin was not mentioned. After his return, Ryu Hyun-jin pitched in 11 games and recorded 3 wins, 3 losses, and an ERA of 3.46. He is in good health, and his speed has improved. Jegu is still a good pitcher. Additionally, he has big league postseason experience. Ryu Hyun-jin has a record of 3 wins and 3 losses in 9 games and an average ERA of 4.54.
Ryu Hyun-jin’s four-year contract with Toronto worth a total of $80 million (about 107.2 billion won) ends at the end of this season. There is growing interest in whether he will enter the free agent market again and wear a different uniform next season. It remains to be seen whether Ryu Hyun-jin can finish the season by playing fall baseball in Toronto.
