Player Note: Hyun-Jin Ryu, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

Hyun-Jin Ryu, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Bats: L Throws: L HT: 6-2 WT: 215 DOB: March 25, 1987

The Dodgers signed Korean lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu in December, giving him a six-year contract worth $36,000,000, plus another $25,700,000 posting fee. He was one of the best pitchers in Korean history, a seven-time All-Star in their league (the Korean Baseball Organization) for the Hanwha Eagles. He has an excellent changeup, along with an average slider and curveball. Reports on his velocity vary: some sources say he works at 87-89, other sources say he works at 89-92 and can hit 95. He's got a clean delivery and looks good on video. Given the wide variance in velocity reports and the difficulty in translating Korean baseball statistics into a North American equivalent, I have no clear idea how to judge him or project him into the majors. He could be Rookie of the Year, he could be an expensive bust, or anything in between. So you can take this Grade B- for what it is worth, a guesstimate that he'll be a pretty decent pitcher, but not a star.