Ryu Hyun-jin (Toronto) returned as the ‘control master’. His speed is slow, but he throws aggressively. Accurate pitching and efficient ball combinations are the driving force behind the revival. He sees the slow curve effect as well.
On the 27th (Korean time), Ryu Hyun-jin started in the home game against Cleveland held at the Rogers Center in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and won 3 consecutive wins (1 loss) with 3 runs and 2 earned runs in 5 innings. He posted a 2.25 earned run average for the season.
On this day, Ryu threw a total of 70 pitches. Four-seam fastball (29), changeup (19), curve (13), and cut fastball (9). His maximum speed was only 90.8 miles (146.1 km), but he had 49 strikes. Proof that he pitched aggressively despite his slow speed.
It was possible because it was backed by perfect control. Toronto coach John Schneider said, “I had a good ball control. “I also liked the way he changed his ball speed,” he said adding, “I praised him as a veteran left-handed pitcher with excellent skills.” Ryu Hyun-jin also said, “I can’t throw the ball as fast as in the past, so all I can do is focus on the ball.”
In addition to his main weapon change-up, Ryu Hyun-jin is increasing his curve utilization and stirring more than 10 curve balls in each game, especially making fun of hitters with slow curves in the mid-1960s. In the game against Cleveland, the scene where he was struck out with a curve of at least 64.6 miles (104km) against Andres Jimenez in the fourth inning was the highlight.
In the game against Cincinnati on the 21st, he threw a 65.5 mile (approximately 105.4 km) curve against Joey Votto at the end of the second inning at first base, and struck out on a swing. In the 5th inning, De La Cruz also struck out looking at Ryu Hyun-jin’s 66.8 mile (approximately 107.5 km) slow curve.
Ryu Hyun-jin’s fastball speed is only in the mid-140km range. But he’s smiling in a timing battle with hitters through the slow curve. Major league expert Rob Friedman posted a video of Ryu Hyun-jin’s slow curve on his SNS and said, “Look at this beautiful curve. This season’s starting pitcher in the big leagues is the slowest among the balls that induced the hitter to swing wrong,” he admired.
Ryu Hyun-jin’s curve average speed this season is 113 km. It is the 342nd best speed in the major leagues. However, that slow curve is becoming Ryu Hyun-jin’s new survival weapon that compensates for his fastball speed, which has fallen compared to his prime.
Source: 토토사이트웹
