Dodgers: Unsung Heroes of the Regular Season

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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning of the MLB game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

Hyun-Jin Ryu was a quiet producer for the Dodgers last year and he made the 2017 list for unsung heroes. In 2018, Ryu finds himself right back on this list.

After suffering a serious groin injury before the All-Star break, things began to look all-too-familiar the 31-year old southpaw on the brink of free agency. Again, it looked like Ryu would miss the season and the opportunity to help his team.

But, after a lengthy absence, Ryu came back and did more than anyone could have asked for. In 82.1 innings, Ryu has a 1.97 ERA, a 1.008 WHIP and 200 ERA+, a mark sitting well above average. Ryu was dominant before his injury and only got better after.

Ryu’s work went mostly unnoticed in large part due to the amount of talent in the rotation but more so because he missed the middle two months of the season, with his injury.

Ryu will also be a key cog in the postseason where he will join Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw in the playoff rotation and the Dodgers can actually take comfort in the fact that he will be starting.

In 15 starts this year, Ryu has made nine quality appearances.

The Dodgers have a lot to look forward too for the playoffs and should strongly consider bringing back Ryu next year.