Speaking as the self-appointed Tim Ryan expert, (I live in his district), he's a boring Generic D. He hasn't done much except for one big pork thing in the stimulus bill. The district is D+12, so he doesn't do anything. He won in 2014 by close to 40%. Way over 40% in 2012. He's pretty boring. I don't get the hype. However, I hope he runs just so that we can get a competent Republican in our district.
I think the hype has to do with his style. See:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePHJ5fWUgFQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEDuXyRQR28https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xawl_R0rhrg
