The professional baseball career of Hanwha Eagles’ bullpen ace Joo Hyun-sang (31) is divided into around 2021. After attending Cheongju High School and Dong-A University, he was selected in the 2nd 7th round of the 2015 rookie draft. He joined the team not as a pitcher but as an infielder with a good arm. But a path of thorns, not a path of flowers, was waiting for him.
He was guarded by good seniors. Excellent juniors came flooding in. He failed to establish himself as a third baseman and shortstop, and debuted in the first team as a pitcher in his 7th year as a professional in 2021. Every year, about 10 new players join and about 10 others leave the team, surviving the battle for survival and becoming a key relief pitcher.
There were more games in which he appeared as a pitcher than in games in which he played as a fielder.
In 120 games as a hitter, he had a batting average of .211 (47 hits in 222 at-bats), 12 RBIs, 18 runs, 2 stolen bases, and 4 walks on 24 walks without a home run. Since 2021, he has appeared in 138 games as a pitcher, posting a record of 3 wins, 5 losses, 1 save, 17 holds, and an earned run average of 4.37. He pitched a total of 154⅓ innings.
Although he has made his presence known as a reliever the past two years, he has not been as impressive as he was this year.
“Preparing well in the 2nd team led to good results. I had to continue playing baseball and it was not a situation where I could give up, so I was doing my best. I think I gained confidence as I pitched hard.”
His start was not smooth. He started the season in the first team, pitching three games before moving down to the future team (second team). He returned to the first team after 39 days, and after 10 days he moved to Seosan. In 6 games from April to May, 9 hits, 6 walks, and 5 runs allowed in 6⅓ innings.
I got married last year and my first child, Arin, was born a month ago.
Second first-team call-up on June 15th. They started out as a chase team and built trust and moved up to the victory team. Since June he has appeared in 40 games and he has 1 win, 1 loss, 10 holds, and a 1.70 earned run average.
recorded. He pitched 42⅓ innings, striking out 34 and giving up 4 walks and 11 walks. WHIP (On Base Allowed Per Inning) 0.76.
This season, Joo Hyun-sang is a different pitcher around June.
13 consecutive scoreless games from the Kiwoom Heroes game on June 16th to the July 26th Heroes game, 8 consecutive gameless games from the KT Wiz game on August 9th to the KIA Tigers game on August 27th, and the SSG Landers game on September 6th to the LG Twins on September 23rd. Until then, they had recorded no goals in 8 consecutive games. For the past three months, Joo Hyun-sang has been Hanwha’s most reliable middle pitcher.
What made the main phenomenon different?
“Before, I thought I had to throw strikes, so I took the game a little too easily. While I was in the second team, I thought a lot about how I could deal with batters and get good results. Pitching coach Park Seung-min said, ‘I feel like I’m throwing the ball from the same spot.’ “You told me. I’m pulling the ball out as long as possible and throwing it.”
He recently reduced the proportion of changeups안전놀이터 and increased the proportion of sliders. He is confidently competing with his slider regardless of whether he is a left or right hitter.
When I said, ‘I have now become a recognized pitcher,’ he said, “I still have a lot to improve.”
First-team pitcher for 3 years. Meanwhile, traces of an infielder with good arms remained.
“People around me often say, ‘I feel like I’ve become a real pitcher.’ I had the feeling of a fielder throwing, but I think it’s because my pitching form has improved and my experience has accumulated.”
During his days at Cheongju High School and Dong-A University, he often appeared on the mound as a pitcher. He had no choice but to throw due to the team’s lack of pitchers. Even then he was recognized for his strong shoulders.
Jeong Min-tae, Hanwha 2nd team pitching coach (SPOTV commentator), who noticed his shoulder after he entered the professional ranks, recommended him to pitch. He said he would throw in a game where the score was high, but he didn’t take it seriously.
He then left the team to perform military service and returned. He was asked if he wanted to become a pitcher in the first team. Prospective third baseman Noh Si-hwan arrived in 2019. Joo Hyeon-sang said, “Si-hwan was a player who looked like he would be good at first glance. He thought it would be difficult for me to be the starting player. He couldn’t continue to play as a backup.” Turned into a pitcher. He said, “More than 10 new players come in every year, and I was worried that they would be able to do well as they get older.”
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