It is a big bad news for Ryu Hyun-jin. The Rogers Center, home of the Toronto Blue Jays, is getting smaller.
Canada’s TSN said on the 22nd (hereinafter Korean time), “The ongoing construction is to reconstruct the bullpen and seats. The home stadium will be reduced in April, when the home games of the 2023 season begin.” He said, “Lefty hitters, including the newly recruited Dalton Basho and Brandon Belt, will like the change.”
According to TSN, the right-middle outfield fence at the Rogers Center in Toronto, Ontario, Canada will be moved from 375 feet to 357 feet. The left fence is reduced from 375 feet to 366 feet, and the middle fence is reduced from 400 feet to 397 feet. The distance from the plate to both foul poles (328 feet) is maintained.메이저놀이터
While the entire stadium is getting smaller, the right-middle fence in particular is moving forward. As TSN points out, left-handed batters will have an advantage. Toronto led the American League with a team batting average of 0.264 in the 2022 season. However, his left-handed batting average was 0.220, which was 10th in the American League. His OPS is also 0.640, which is 10th in the American League. This measure is expected to significantly increase the productivity of left-handed hitters.
Of course, this is bad news for Toronto pitchers. This is not particularly good news for Ryu Hyun-jin, who is undergoing rehabilitation after Tommy John surgery. Ryu Hyun-jin’s main weapon changeup falls outside right-handed batters. At this time, right-handed hitters often respond by pushing to the middle right. When a changeup misfires, the risk of a long hit increases. The fastball is also expected to become a prey for left-handed full hitters if it misses.
With the determination to revive this season, Ryu Hyun-jin went to the United States earlier than usual and is undergoing individual training. He runs with the goal of rehabilitating the minor leagues in June and returning to the major leagues in July. He must show performance in the second half so that he can increase his competitiveness before qualifying as a free agent in the 2023-2024 offseason.
If Ryu Hyun-jin wants to survive in the major leagues after the 2024 season, he must first overcome the environment of the Rogers Center, which is transforming into a hitter-friendly pitch this season. Ryu Hyun-jin’s four-year, $80 million contract with Toronto expires at the end of his season. Toronto’s full recovery of $80 million (approximately 98.8 billion won) has already been overlooked. As he blows half this season as well, Toronto’s annual salary of 20 million dollars (approximately 24.7 billion won) is uncertain.