Tampa Bay Rays: Jae Kuk Ryu RHP #11

As we continue on our 40 Rays in 40 days series, our next Ray is P Jae Kuk Ryu.










Jae Kuk Ryu
RHP #11
HT:6'3 WT:220

The Dish:At the age of 18, Jae Kuk Ryu was signed by the Cubs as a non drafted free agent out of South Korea in 2001. In 2003 Ryu went 6-1 with a 1.75 ERA in 11 starts for Class A Lansing. The following year the Cubs decided to move Ryu to the bullpen, and he reached AAA briefly at the age of 21. For 2005 the Cubs moved Ryu back to AA and back to the rotation. He enjoyed a nice season at AA going 11-8 with a 3.34 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP for West Tennessee. Like 2005, 2006 was another solid season for Ryu. He made his big league debut on 5/14/06 and pitched made 10 appearances for the Cubs, with 1 start. The results were not favorable 0-1 with a 8.40 ERA. He was sent to AAA Iowa and was very solid going 8-8 with a 3.23 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 23 starts. Before spring training 2007, the Rays acquired Ryu in exchange for minor leaguers OF Andrew Lopez and RHP Greg Reinhard. Ryu made the Rays team out of Spring Training as a reliever, but was sent down on June 2nd. He was recalled on July 20th, only to be sent down again on July 30th. In AAA Durham Ryu was used as a starter for the remainder of the season going 5-4 with a 4.04 ERA.

2007 Numbers:(AAA Durham)5-4 4.04 ERA in 14 Starts,(Rays)1-2 7.33 ERA in 17 relief appearances with a 1.80 WHIP.

Role for 08:With the abundance of pitching wealth the Rays have it's hard to see Ryu actually making an impact for the Rays not only in '08, but ever. Depending on corresponding 40 man roster moves Ryu is a candidate to be Designated for Assignment and could slip through waivers. If that happens look for him to be a spot starter/long reliever for Durham.

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