The MLB Awards season has gotten off to a rough start for Hyun-Jin Ryu, as he placed last in voting for the National League Comeback Player of the Year and also the runner-up to New York Mets starter Jacob deGrom for NL Outstanding Pitcher in the 2019 Players Choice Awards.
Atlanta Braves rookie Mike Soroka received the third-most votes from players. By winning the award, deGrom receives a $20,000 grant from the MLB Players Trust to direct to charities of his choice.
deGrom, who like Ryu is at the forefront of the discussion for Cy Young, went 11-8 with a 2.43 ERA, 2.67 FIP and 0.97 WHIP with an NL-leading 255 strikeouts compared to 44 walks in 204 innings.
While Soroka was third in NL Outstanding Pitcher of the Year voting, he should receive some NL Rookie of the Year consideration for his breakout season. The 22-year-old went 13-4 with a 2.68 ERA, 3.45 WHIP and 1.11 WHIP in 29 starts. He struck out 142 while walking 41 in 174.2 innings.
Ryu got off to a great start in 2019 and road that momentum to a first career All-Star Game selection. Not only that but he started for the NL, becoming the first Korean born pitcher to start in a Midsummer Classic.
The second half of the season wasn’t quite as good, although Ryu still finished with a 14-5 record to go along with a Major-League-Leading 2.32 ERA, 3.10 FIP and 1.01 WHIP with 163 strikeouts and just 24 walks in 182.2 total innings.
Ryu is not the only Dodgers player that was a finalist for one of the 2019 Players Choice Awards. Cody Bellinger is in the running for NL Outstanding Player, although he was snubbed for overall Player of the Year.
The 2019 season may have been the best for Ryu in a Dodgers uniform, but it also may be his last as he is set to hit free agency this winter. The 32-year-old will likely be looking for a long-term deal, which could reduce the likelihood of Dodgers re-signing the southpaw.
