"If I have a chance to talk to Yang Hyun-jong..." So did Lee Eui-ri and Yoon Young-chul, the real reason KIA took him to Irvine
"If I have a chance to talk to Yang Hyun-jong..." So did Lee Eui-ri and Yoon Young-chul, the real reason KIA took him to Irvine
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Clubs are at a crossroads of two choices if they become rookies who have yet to make their debut. They take them to the first-team spring camp and join senior players like Kirasung, giving them an opportunity to fatten up their baseball, and seeking immediate utilization.먹튀검증
On the other hand, they send them to the second-tier spring camp (even those in rehabilitation or staying in Korea) instead of taking them to the first-tier spring camp to prepare for the season steadily. Some say that if a rookie gets hurt while imitating all the training of seniors who have eaten professionally for years due to their enthusiasm in the first-tier spring camp, it will be a loss for themselves and their team.
In this regard, Chung Hyun-woo and Kim Tae-hyung (aged 19, Deoksu High School graduate) who are the strongest one-two punch in 2024 had mixed feelings. Those who are the first and fifth in the first round of the 2025 Rookie Draft are said to be the talents who will lead the future Kiwoom Heroes and KIA Tigers' mound.
However, Kiwoom sends all the rookies, including Jung Hyun-woo, to the Kansheng 2nd tier spring camp, not to the Mesa 1st tier spring camp, while KIA will take Kim Tae-hyung to the Irvine-Okinawa 1st tier spring camp as the only rookie. It is not right or wrong, but it is entirely up to the decision. Only future performances will tell the outcome of this decision.
For now, Kiwoom and Kia plan to use Chung Hyeon-woo and Kia plan to use Kim Tae-hyung as starting pitchers for this year. Considering the actual situation in the team, chances are high that Chung will appear in the first division for a longer time. However, Kia has no reason not to take a rookie who should grow up as a pitcher for the first division to Irvine anyway.
In order to boost Kim's morale and motivate him properly, there is nothing like joining the spring camp for the first team with his seniors. KIA has many senior pitchers that Kim can learn from. In particular, Yang Hyeon-jong, a major pitcher, is a player he picked as a role model. Now Kim Tae-hyung is facing a good opportunity to absorb Yang's baseball by joining him at Irvine.
In fact, he already showed everything at the high school level. He has soft pitching form, but can shoot up to 150 kilometers in the range. From sliders to curves. He also has good ability to adjust his speed depending on the flow of the game. However, he needs to build a body that can adapt to long-term racing and needs to secure the completeness of falling balls.
More than Jeong Jae-hoon and Lee Dong-gul, there will be many things to feel and learn from looking at senior pitchers. Since Irvine and Okinawa are still together until March, it will naturally lead to consideration of baseball by seniors and juniors.
Kim Tae-hyung said at Incheon International Airport on the 23rd, "My goal is to come here without getting hurt. I have a good mentality and can throw well in front of many fans. I can throw long innings well for a long time because I have a good stamina. I've heard since I was young that my pitching form is soft. Recently, my first-round brothers have been showing good performance in the first team. I will also play in the first team."
Regarding his shortcomings, Kim Tae-hyung said, "The breaking ball will be flat compared to the hyungs. I am supplementing the finishing camp from the beginning. I will upgrade if I practice more." To Yang, "I think it will be difficult because he is such a big senior, but he takes care of his body so well if I have a chance to talk, I think he will ask me how to keep it steady and not get hurt."
Just because Kim Tae-hyung is going to Irvine and Okinawa with his first-team seniors, his skills will not suddenly improve. However, if the things he gained during his time together in the first team become assets one day, the starting point will be his participation in the Irvine camp.