Ryu Hyun-jin (38) of Hanwha Eagles, who made his KBO League debut in 2006, had 98 wins until 2012, before he entered the Major League Baseball (MLB). Ryu, who returned to Hanwha last year, secured his second win of the season against Daejeon SSG on April 30, securing his 100th career win in the KBO. "I think there is only one more victory left in Korea and the U.S.," Ryu said at the time.스포츠토토
This year, Ryu Hyun-jin is cruising toward his last personal goal with Hanwha, who flew from the bottom to the top.
Ryu returned to Korea after winning 78 titles in MLB from 2013 to 2023, adding 10 wins last season to his 186 wins in the U.S. and South Korea. Ryu started the 2025 season with 14 wins to go until his 200th win, and has four wins, one loss and a 2.91 ERA in eight games as of Tuesday. He has just 10 steps to go.
It is not easy for a starting pitcher to have more than 14 wins in a single season. No matter how well he throws, he will not be able to achieve victory unless he gets help from his batters and bullpen. In the 2012 season, Ryu garnered only nine wins after posting an ERA of 2.66 in 27 games (182.2 innings). Only Won Tae-in (Samsung) and Kwak Bin (Doosan, 15 wins) won in the league last year.
However, there is an element that Ryu Hyun-jin can look forward to this year. First of all, the pace of building wins is faster than last year. Last season, Ryu Hyun-jin only won his fourth game in June. However, as of this year, Hanwha is no longer a team that struggles alone with Ryu. Although Ryu Hyun-jin is also playing an age-forgotten role, not only starting but also solid bullpen and batters who select necessary points are exerting synergy effect. Ryu's victory over Daejeon Samsung, his fourth win of the season on the 5th, shows the potential of Hanwha this season.
Ryu gave up four hits, four strikeouts and one run during five innings. His ball control was shaky, his biggest strength, but he blocked Samsung's batters by allowing the least number of runs through the fifth inning. When Ryu did not lose ground in the starting lineup against native ace Won Tae-in, Hanwha's batters gave the necessary score and the bullpen shut out the remaining innings for a 3-1 victory. Hanwha, which ranks No. 1 for the first time in 18 years, tied for No. 1 with eight consecutive wins.
Ryu Hyun-jin said, "I feel comfortable because the bullpen pitchers threw well," but added, "I'm sorry that the starting pitcher has to throw about 6 innings, but he only threw 5 innings."
Ryu Hyun-jin vowed to throw a better ball next game. "As I tried hard not to get hit, I got a lot of walks. I think I have to overcome it in the future," he said. "After the hit ball, I felt burdened by the game, but this is also a problem I have to overcome. I will prepare well for the next few days and throw it in a good balance," he said.
When asked if he could win 200 games within this year, Ryu Hyun-jin, who achieved 190 wins in total between Korea and the U.S., said, "Wouldn't it be possible at this pace?" Ryu Hyun-jin, who had been a "boy breadwinner" before entering the U.S., will be able to clearly show confidence in his personal performance by trusting the team this season.