Pittsburgh Pirates: Previewing the Left-Handed Starting Pitching Market
The Pirates have signed one LHP SP every off-season in Ben Cherington's reign, so what does this year's market look like?
By Noah Wright
![Aug 4, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (52) pitches Aug 4, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (52) pitches](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3721,h_2093,x_0,y_522/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/4/01h9vqabpsqma9qgycq3.jpg)
Hyun-Jin Ryu
Hyun-Jin Ryu is one of the older but still effective lefty starting veterans. Ryu has only pitched in 34 innings but has only allowed ten earned runs for a 2.65 ERA. His 5.8% walk rate is another outstanding remark on his 2023 report card, and he’s held opponents to an 85.9 MPH exit velocity.
Ryu has never been a big-time strikeout pitcher, and his 20.3% strikeout rate is only slightly worse than his career average of 21.7%. Ryu’s 1.32 HR/9 is up, but given he has a massive 17.2% HR/FB ratio, a ground ball rate at 50%, and has been holding opponents to soft contact since his return, it’s evident he’s run into some bad luck.