LAD's bold 100-mile rookie start! Ryan was originally an infielder who dreamed of playing both sides
Jul 23, 2024
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The Dodgers started River Ryan, who was called up from Triple-A, in a game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on the 23rd (Korea time).
Ryan, who took the mound in his debut game, gave up four hits and three walks in five ⅓ innings and blocked him with one run. It was a better-than-expected result. Although he did not become a winning pitcher, the Dodgers won 3-2 based on Ryan's good pitching and won four consecutive games.
Ryan, who ranked fourth in the Dodgers Farm in this year's MLB Pipeline Prospects list, showed off his powerful ball power in Triple-A, and was already expected to be in the big league immediately.
He has a rather unusual history. Was an infielder when he was drafted by the San Diego Padres with the No. 340 pick in the 11th round of the 2021 draft. After playing in 12 games at the rookie level in 2021, he hit a batting average of 0.308, he turned into a pitcher the following year. At the time, San Diego planned to raise him to a combined pitching and hitting resource, but in the end, he decided to give up the batter as he felt more attracted to the pitcher.
Ryan, who began his full-fledged pitching career after being traded to the Dodgers in March 2022, confirmed his possibility by taking the mound in 15 games (13 starts) in Single A that year, losing 2-4 with a 2.45 ERA. He then pitched 104 ⅓ innings in 26 games in Double-A and Triple-A last year, marking 1-7 losses and a 3.80 ERA, continuing his growth.
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On this day, Ryan threw 73 pitches. He used 27 four-seam fastballs, 17 sliders, 9 changeups, 8 sinkers, 6 cutters, and 6 curves, respectively. The fastball speed reached a maximum of 98.4 miles (158.4 kilometers) and an average of 96.1 miles. The reason why the average speed was 1 mile less than that of Triple-A is attributed to careful pitching centered on ball control.
Ryan seemed to be on the verge of losing a lot of points after walking the lead Jorge Soler in the top of the first inning and getting a left-handed hit by Lamont Wade Jr. However, while left fielder Miguel Vargas missed the ball once, first baseman Soler ran to third base and was tagged out, making it one out and second base. Ryan handled Elliott Ramos with a fly to left field and Patrick Bailey with a fly ball to shortstop to finish the inning scoreless.
Ryan, who made three outs in the second inning with 10 balls, overwhelmed three batters in the third inning. However, he lost first in the fourth inning due to poor control and defensive errors. Ryan, who allowed a walk to lead Wade Jr., hit a heavy hit by Bailey after one out and grounded out Michael Confoto to first base, driving him to second and third bases with two outs. Then, as soon as Matt Chapman was walked, catcher Will Smith's fastball came out and allowed one run.
But Ryan wasn't more shaken. Ryan, who ended the inning by striking out Mike Yastremski with a swing and miss, hit all three batters with infield ground balls in the fifth inning when the score was 1-1, then gave up two hits in the sixth inning and was replaced after being driven to the first and third bases with one out. Alex Vesia, who then took the mound, struck out the next two batters in a row and ended the inning scoreless.
For the Dodgers, they have one 'stuff'.
Manager Dave Roberts said, `His pitching today was so good that I was looking forward to how he would grow. The ball was very good. It was effective and aggressive. I'm very satisfied" he evaluated.
Ryan was "It was a great debut. A lot of emotions crossed throughout the day. I prayed today and made my heart calm"I felt really good to receive a standing ovation when I was replaced." The ground seemed to ring. It was a really fun moment" expressed his feelings.
On this day, the Dodgers announced James Paxton, who had an 8-2 record and a 4.43 ERA as a veteran left-hander, as a designated assignment. He called up Ryan by removing Paxton from the 40-man roster. It can be seen as a bold roster replacement and rotation winning move, which is a huge success.
jhno@sportschosun.com
