Ryu named to All-MLB Second Team

TORONTO -- Hyun Jin Ryu was named a Second-Team All-MLB pitcher, on MLB Network on Wednesday, recognizing an excellent debut season with the Blue Jays, who he led to their first postseason appearance since 2016.

Ryu has now been named Second Team All-MLB in each of the two years that the honor has been in place. In 2019 with the Dodgers, Ryu earned the nod after pitching to a 2.32 ERA and finishing second in NL Cy Young Award voting behind the Mets’ Jacob deGrom.

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The voting process for the All-MLB Teams began in November, with 50% of the vote coming from fans and 50% coming from a panel of experts. Both the first and second All-MLB Teams consist of a catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop and designated hitter, plus three outfielders, five starting pitchers and two relievers.

Ryu’s 2020 followed right in line with his great run for the Dodgers, which is exactly what the Blue Jays were hoping for when the landed their ace on a four-year, $80 million deal last offseason. With a 2.69 ERA over 67 innings across 12 starts, Ryu finished third in the AL Cy Young Award voting in his first season in the American League.

This was another great accomplishment for Ryu, who still hasn't had the opportunity to settle to his new city after the Blue Jays spent 2020 playing out of Sahlen Field in Buffalo, N.Y. Depending on which way the wind was blowing, Buffalo was a launching pad for hitters at times, but Ryu was the steady hand that Toronto’s rotation needed, especially as it dealt with injuries and inconsistencies.

Ryu’s best regular-season moment came in his final outing against the Yankees, a 4-1 win that clinched the Blue Jays' first postseason appearance since 2016. Ryu went seven shutout innings, allowing just five hits while striking out four on 100 pitches.

The Blue Jays adjusted their pitching strategy for the shortened, 60-game season, often limiting how deep their starter went into the game before handing off to a group of multi-inning relievers. These restrictions didn’t apply as much to Ryu, but given the realities of his debut season, he’s shown his true form.

Entering 2021, Ryu will lead a rotation that’s stocked with upside, mainly in the form of No. 1 prospect Nate Pearson (MLB Pipeline’s No. 6 overall prospect). The Blue Jays are also expected to add to their rotation, ideally in the form of a No. 2 or No. 3 starter, but Ryu remains the unquestioned ace. He also endeared himself to teammates, especially the many young arms the Blue Jays had in camp during Spring Training who were eager to learn from one of baseball’s best.

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Ryu, 33, owns a career 59-35 record with a 2.95 ERA. Prior to coming to MLB for his 2013 debut with the Dodgers, Ryu was a KBO star with the Hanwha Eagles, where he owned a 2.80 ERA over seven seasons (‘06-12).