On the 9th, MLB.com, the official website of the major league (MLB), introduced nine MLB representative pitchers who throw powerful pitches while throwing several pitches. Ryu Hyun-jin (34, Toronto) includes Jacob Digrom (New York Mets), Jack Grainky (Houston), Jack Flaherty (St. Louis), Shane Bieber (Cleveland), Sony Gray (Cincinnati), Jack Gallon (Arizona), Dallas Kaikle. (Chicago White Sox) and Max Fried (Atlanta) were selected as’all-round pitchers’.
The criteria for MLB.com’s selection of 9 players are ▶3 or more pitches with a score of 5 or more (-5 or less) better than the average pitcher (0) since 2019. ▶ There were three things: 40 innings or more in the 2020 season.
Among them, the run value is the record of calculating the’expected value to score in a specific situation’. The batter is evaluated as a good player the higher the score value is. On the other hand, a pitcher must be considered a good player only if he/she has a low score value (reduces the probability of conceding). The scoring value allows you to rank which pitcher’s pitch is more powerful and effective.
Also, pitchers with multiple pitches with negative scoring values have more ways to overcome the concession crisis. MLB.com introduced’a pitcher with three or more high-scoring pitches’, rather than ranking by the scoring value of a specific pitch, to comprehensively evaluate the pitcher’s ability.
According to MLB.com, there were only 9’universal pitchers’ who met the three criteria. Of the nine pitchers introduced in the article, Ryu Hyun-jin was mentioned as the fourth.
Ryu Hyun-jin’s changeup score calculated by MLB.com was -30. The cutter scored -10 and the curve was -7. In particular, Ryu Hyun-jin’s changeup over the past two years has been the top-notch weapon in the MLB. Considering that the score of DiGrom’s main weapon slider is -27, the power of Ryu Hyun-jin’s changeup can be felt more. Except for Ryu Hyun-jin’s changeup, there was no record close to -30 among nine pitchers’ pitches.
MLB.com referred to Ryu Hyun-jin’s control ability and analyzed that he could effectively pitch even if he was not fast. Photo = Yonhap News
MLB.com explained, “Ryu Hyun-jin’s changeup is the 6th most valuable pitch in all MLBs since 2019.” MLB.com said, “Ryu Hyun-jin has 5 pitches with a pitch rate of 10% or more in 2019 and 2020. Among them, the only ball that does not meet the average value of the pitch is the sinker. The sinker is also slightly below the average.” It means that Ryu Hyun-jin throws almost all pitches skillfully.
MLB.com said, “Ryu Hyun-jin can throw all pitches in four splits in the strike zone. When Ryu Hyun-jin is on the mound, such a scene repeats.” “Ryu Hyun-jin (even if he is not fast) can effectively pitch multiple pitches. We are proving that we can do it.”
Ryu Hyun-jin’s fastball (four-seam fastball) average speed last year was 144.5 km/h. Looking at speed alone, it doesn’t hit the MLB average. Through this record, it was confirmed again why Ryu Hyun-jin became the top-notch starting pitcher in the MLB. It is thanks to the ability to use the strike zone by dividing it up, down, left and right, and the precise and sharp change ball.
Reporter Kim Shik