Dodgers: Hyun-Jin Ryu Named National League Player of the Week

The Dodgers received some recognition on Monday as Hyun-Jin Ryu was named the National League player of the week.
For the second time this season, a Dodger has won National League player of the week. First, it was Cody Bellinger and the latest to win the award is Hyun-Jin Ryu. On Sunday, Ryu took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before Gerardo Parra (of course) ended his no-hit bid. In the week, Ryu was absolutely dominating pitching seventeen scoreless innings allowing no runs and just five hits.
Ryu was a free agent last off-season but returned to the Dodgers by accepting the qualifying offer. Even though LA’s rotation was stocked with plenty of options, Ryu’s return has been a blessing in disguise as he has been the best starting pitcher for the Dodgers this season. On the season, Ryu has a 5-1 record to go with a 1.72 ERA and a stellar 0.73 WHIP.
Even though Hyun-Jin doesn’t top 90 miles per hour often, he has been a very effective pitcher over the last two seasons due in large part to his impressive strikeout to walk ratios. This season, Ryu has walked just three batters and he has struck out 54. That gives him a ridiculous 18:1 strikeout to walk ratio.
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During his two starts that made him the NL player of the week, Ryu walked just one batter and struck out fifteen. After a complete game shutout against the Braves, the encore was even better with a no-hitter into the eighth inning. Next up, Hyun-Jin will face Yasiel Puig and the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend.
The only knock on Ryu over his career has been injuries. Ryu bounced back from shoulder surgery last year pitching to a 1.97 ERA but he spent time on the injured list with a bad groin injury. Outside of injuries, there has been no stopping Hyun-Jin Ryu. Since the beginning of the 2017 season, Ryu has been a much-improved pitcher and one of the best pitchers in baseball.
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Even with pitching prospects on the rise and young talent already on the big league roster, the Dodgers will have to seriously consider extending Ryu if he keeps dominating the National League. He has been a great pitcher overall, and at Dodger Stadium he has been even better with an ERA more than half of what it’s been on the road.