The Major League Baseball (MLB) Toronto Blue Jays are looking for a fifth starter during spring training. While Japanese pitcher Yusei Kikuchi was chosen as a strong candidate, Mitch White, who is of mixed Korean descent, and Ryu Hyun-jin, whose rehabilitation has not yet been completed, were also mentioned.
MLB.com, the official website of MLB, introduced on the 13th (Korean time), “This week, the pitcher and catcher groups will join the spring camp.
What Toronto needs is a fifth starter. MLB.com said, “There is not much competition in the Toronto camp (the starting position is solid), but there are candidates for the 5th selection.” He will get a chance like any other pitcher the team tests as a starter between now and the start.”
Kikuchi, who debuted on the MLB stage under a contract with the Seattle Mariners in 2019, is a left-handed fireballer who throws the ball at a maximum speed of 160 km per hour. However, he seldom lived up to his potential, and he signed a three-year, $36 million (46 billion won) contract with Toronto ahead of last year. Compared to his other five starting contenders, his salary is high, his speed is fast, and his potential remains. However, last year his earned run average was significantly sluggish at 5.19. His career performance is also poor, with an earned run average of 5.02. Toronto, which has to advance to the postseason, cannot blindly give Kikuchi a chance.
White, who was discussed along with Kikuchi, is a pitcher of mixed Korean descent whose mother is a second-generation immigrant. He’s not up to Kikuchi, but he’s not bad at all either. He recorded an average speed of 93.7 miles per hour (151 km per hour) at a fastball last year, and has accumulated experience in selection and bullpen as a swing man since his days with his former team, the LA Dodgers. If Kikuchi doesn’t get his chance, White will have plenty.
The timing of Ryu Hyun-jin’s return is also a variable. Ryu Hyun-jin, who underwent elbow ligament joint surgery (Tommy John surgery) last year, is currently concentrating on rehabilitation. It is impossible to return in time for the opening time. Ryu Hyun-jin set the target return point to July before his departure. 스포츠토토
Ryu Hyun-jin’s pitching is not up to the two pitchers. However, as his pitching, pitch variety, and game management skills are superior to both pitchers, he may have an advantage as a fifth starter. If the two pitchers do not take root as starting pitchers before Ryu Hyun-jin’s return, an opportunity may lead to Ryu Hyun-jin.
Meanwhile, MLB.com picked Ricky Tidman, a promising player, as another candidate. Tidman is the number one prospect pitcher in the Toronto team, ranked 33rd in the recently announced MLB Top 100 Prospects ranking. He went 5-4 with a 2.17 earned run average last year while playing in single-A, high single-A and double-A. He hasn’t experienced Triple-A yet, so it’s unlikely he’ll debut in the big leagues from the opener, but if he’s called up during the season, he’s well worth the 5th starter spot.