Kim Seo-hyun (19, Hanwha), the first overall rookie pitcher in the KBO in the 2023 season, left a strong impression in his first bullpen pitching.
On the 6th (hereinafter Korean time), Kim Seo-hyun digested his first bullpen pitching at Bell Bank Park, Mesa, Arizona, USA, where Hanwha’s spring camp was set up. He threw a total of 21 pitches with four pitches: fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. His highest speed was 151 km. Considering it’s his first bullpen pitching, his speed is quite fast. On this day, they formed the same group and threw the ball faster than the foreign pitchers who pitched in the bullpen.
Hanwha pitching coach Jose Rosado said, “Kim Seo-hyun is still a young player, so we need to wait and watch him a little longer.”
Kim Seo-hyun said, “I threw with 70-75% power. He paid attention to balance and control. If I were to give myself a score, I think it would be around 60 to 70 points,” he said.
On this day, along with Kim Seo-hyun, foreign pitchers Birch Smith and Felix Pena also pitched in the bullpen for the first time. 메이저놀이터
Smith, who is expected to be the first starter, used a fastball, curveball, slider, changeup, and two-seam fastball with a total of 43 pitches. Top speed 149km. He threw 22 pitches and then rested. He threw 21 pitches and applied an inning shift routine.
“It was a satisfying bullpen pitch overall,” said Smith. It’s still early in the camp, and there are some areas to work on. He has a good arm and he’s healthy, so the quality of his pitches and control will improve for the rest of camp,” he said.
Pena, who came in as a substitute last year and succeeded in renewing the contract, threw a total of 28 pitches and his highest speed of 147 km was measured. Pena, who made full use of the fastball, slider, changeup, and two-seam, said, “I was in good overall condition, so I was able to use all pitches as I thought. He will try to maintain good condition for the rest of the camp.”
Coach Rosado said, “As of today, everyone in the pitching team has finished pitching to the bullpen. I am grateful that everyone seems to have prepared well for the offseason physically. It was a good time to check the preparations of the pitchers for camp.”