Up to 148km fastball with blade control. Korean Monster is steadily preparing to play in the opening game
Korean Monster' Ryu Hyun-jin's (Hanwha Eagles) opening game schedule is proceeding smoothly. 안전놀이터
Ryu Hyun-jin started the 2024 KBO League exhibition game against the KIA Tigers at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon on the 12th and recorded three hits, three strikeouts and one run in four innings.
Ryu took the mound at an exhibition game for the first time since his return to the Korean pro baseball league. After returning to Hanwha Eagles after finishing his career in the U.S., Ryu joined the Okinawa spring camp in Japan, and performed two bullpen sessions and live pitching in which he threw balls, elevating his physical condition. He pitched in his first real game on Saturday, and displayed good performance by allowing one hit, one walk, three strikeouts and one run in three innings. The total number of pitches he threw was 46, and his maximum speed was measured up to 143 kilometers.
Ryu Hyun-jin played in an exhibition game for the first time in a long time. Ryu Hyun-jin played in an official game at Daejeon Stadium in 4,177 days since the Nexen Heroes' game on October 4, 2012. Initially, some rain was expected, but fortunately, it did not affect the start of the game.
He got off to a shaky start. In the top of the first inning, Park hit a grounder to the shortstop, but after getting a double off Lee Woo-sung to the right side of the right field, he gave a timely hit to Kim Do-young as well, and took the first run. He was no longer swayed, however. He ended the inning by treating Na Sung-bum and Socrates Brito with a fly to the second base and a grounder to the second base, respectively.
Ryu Hyun-jin, who scored a whopping nine runs in the bottom of the first inning, regained stability in the top of the second inning. He struck out Choi Hyung-woo and Kim Sun-bin, respectively, and cooked them with ground balls to the second base. Han allowed an infield hit that hit him, but he never minded it and tied Choi to a fly to the left field. In the top of the third inning, Ryu garnered an out count against Park Chan-ho (ground ball to shortstop), Lee Woo-sung (strikeout), and Kim Do-young (straight hit to second base) to complete his first inning with three outs.
In the top of the fourth inning, his crisis management ability was outstanding. First baseman Chae Eun-sung's error gave second base to leadoff hitter Na Sung-bum, but he took a breather by leading Socrates and Choi Hyung-woo to strike out and ground out to first base, respectively. He then finished his mission by inducing Kim Sun-bin to ground out a pitcher. Since then, the score has remained unchanged until the middle and second half of the game, and Hanwha's 9-1 rainfall cold victory was completed as it rained a lot during the KIA attack in the top of the eighth inning.
On the day, Ryu threw a total of 62 balls. While using fastballs the most, he effectively blocked Kia's batters by using changeups (12 pitches), curves (11 pitches) and cutters (10 pitches). Above all, Ryu's sharp ball control shone and his speed was also noticeable. In this game, Ryu had an average speed of 144 kilometers and a maximum speed of 148 kilometers. If Ryu, who boasts of strong pitching, throws this ball exactly where he wants to throw the ball, opponents will have difficulty attacking.
After the game, Ryu smiled brightly and said in an interview with reporters, "I think I lost too much of my speed. It could be an error," adding, "I lost more speed than I thought. I was okay in general except that I didn't control my changeups well."
"I had fun throwing the ball. When I took the mound, I felt happy because the fans shouted so loudly," he said. "I am satisfied because I came down responsible for the number of pitches I tried to throw and the number of innings I tried to throw. Many fans came even though it was an exhibition game, and many people are waiting for me even after the game. I will do my best."
Hanwha manager Choi Won-ho selected Ryu Hyun-jin as the starting pitcher for the opening game of the regular season against the LG Twins, which will take place at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on Sunday. Since his debut as a pro in 2006, he has posted 98 wins, 52 losses, one save and 1238 strikeouts in 190 games (1,269 innings) in the KBO League, and posted a 2.80 ERA in 186 games (1,055.1 innings) in the U.S. Major League Baseball, making it a natural choice for Ryu, who boasts a stellar career, including 78 wins, 48 losses, one save and an ERA of 3.27.
Ryu will likely play in an exhibition game against the Lotte Giants that will take place at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on Tuesday before taking part in the opening game. Through the game against Lotte, Ryu plans to increase the number of balls and sharpen changeups. Rainfall is expected in Busan to some extent on Tuesday, but fortunately, the game will remain open until this morning.
Ryu said, "I have to take the mound on the 17th as well, but there is a rain forecast. I will have to be nervous. After the game ends on the 17th, I will decide whether to start the opening game or not," adding, "I will refine my main weapon changeup (against Lotte on the 17th). I also need to increase the number of pitches I can throw." Ryu's schedule for the opening game is going smoothly.