Jeong Hae-young.
In response to criticism that ‘he only throws with his arms and has a slow velocity’, he improved his flexibility and raised his speed to 146 km/h, surpassing Lim Chang-yong and becoming the youngest person to make 100 saves.
“Haeyoung, why are you still the same as when you first joined the pros?”
KIA closing pitcher Jeong Hae-young (23), who played for the Korean national team in the Asian Professional Baseball Championship (APBC) held in Japan last November, was sobered by a word from national team coach Ryu Joong-il. At the time, Coach Ryu said of Jeong Hae-young, “When you watch her throw, it feels like she only throws with her arms. If he throws like that, he can't throw 150 kilometers per hour consistently. “He scolded me harshly,” he said. This was unusual for Director Ryu, who usually does not say anything he dislikes.
Jeong Hae-young, who joined KIA as a first-round pick in 2020, earned 34 saves in 2021, his second year, and was designated as the team's "next-generation finisher." He had 32 saves in 2022 and 23 in 2023. It wasn't bad on his record, but it wasn't an overwhelming performance. His fastball velocity, which averaged 143.1 km/h in his first year as a professional, was 143.2 km/h last year, showing little difference.
Last winter, Haeyoung Jeong worked hard to increase her ball speed. Before she participated in this year's spring camp in Australia, she intensively trained to strengthen her flexibility at a baseball professional organization in Seattle, USA. He said, “I changed the way I throw the ball and the way I exert effort.” This season, Jung Hae-young is showing an upgraded appearance. Above all, his average fastball speed was 146.3 km per hour, more than 3 km faster than last year. Since he has power in his fastball, his breaking ball is also effective.
Haeyoung Jeong achieved her 10th save of the season and 100th save in her career in the game against Kiwoom, which the team won 6-4 on the 24th. He achieved 100 saves at the age of 22 years, 8 months, and 1 day, surpassing Lim Chang-yong (23 years, 10 months, 10 days) to become the youngest pitcher ever to reach 100 saves.
Jeong Hae-young challenges for his first save title since his debut despite his defeat. If he wins the save title this year, he will become the first KIA player to be the save king in 26 years, following Lim Chang-yong, who ranked first in saves at the age of 22 in 1998. In addition, including Lee Yong-chan (NC), who ranked first in saves at the age of 20 in 2009, he will be the third youngest player to win the title in professional baseball history.
This season, KIA boasts stable power through two hits and is leading in the early part of the season. The more games the team is ahead, the more opportunities Jeong Hae-young has to save. Jeong Hae-young, the son of coach Jeong Hoe-yeol (56) of Dongwon University, who played as a catcher for Haitai, the predecessor of KIA, said, “I was worried last year because my speed did not increase, but I think I prepared well this year and got off to a good start.” He added, “I focused on each game and became the youngest player to reach 100. “I think I made a save,” he said. 온라인섯다
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