Bryan Woo’s Pitching Prowess Ties Him to Kershaw’s Legacy

When you’re mentioned in the same breath as Clayton Kershaw, you’ve officially made it. Bryan Woo, the Seattle Mariners’ 25-year-old right-hander, just joined the record books, but not in the way most rookies do. Woo’s incredible string of pitching consistency has tied him with none other than Kershaw, one of the greatest pitchers of our time. Intrigued yet? Let’s break this down.

Breaking Down Woo’s Record Streak

Here’s where Woo’s magic lies, and it’s not just your typical “good pitching.” Bryan has managed to complete at least six innings while issuing two or fewer walks in every single one of his 16 starts this season. This ties a record set by Clayton Kershaw in 2016. Yeah, that Clayton Kershaw. The guy with enough accolades to fill a museum exhibit.

Woo’s achievement isn’t just a fluke; it highlights a level of consistency that’s rare for pitchers, especially one as young as him. For context, being economical with walks while maintaining durability on the mound separates good pitchers from great ones. Woo? He’s officially knocking on that “great” door, and it’s hard not to imagine him kicking it open.

Who is Bryan Woo, Anyway?

If you’re not a Mariners fan, you might be scratching your head. Bryan Woo was a sixth-round pick out of Cal Poly in 2021, entering MLB with moderate expectations. Sure, people thought he’d be good, but few anticipated him tying a Kershaw record within his third season in the big leagues.

Standing tall at 6’2″, Bryan doesn’t just bring power to his pitching game; he’s got finesse, too. He’s 7-4 this year with a rock-solid 2.93 ERA. With 96 strikeouts in 101 innings, his ability to handle the big leagues is clear. He’s making a case to be considered the Mariners’ ace of the future if he keeps up his spectacular performances.

Plus, It’s Not Even About the Walks

The thing about Woo’s season? It’s not just about limiting walks. His control is paired with devastating effectiveness in mowing down hitters. He’s allowed only 17 walks this entire season. Meanwhile, his strikeout count is close to triple that. That’s Cy Young-level dominance, even if nobody’s handing over that award just yet.