At the end of this month, right after the Lunar New Year holiday, 10 KBO league teams are leaving for overseas spring camp. Some teams have already started their squad. Star News publishes a series of interviews with new faces, such as transfer students and rookies, who greet the camp with more determination than anyone else. /Sports Bureau
① ‘KT Man’ Sang-soo Kim “It’s the first time I left Daegu, Coach Lee Kang-cheol made a sincere decision”
② ‘He touched the ball in 3 months’ Young-chul Yoon “He has a light arm, he can stretch the ball well”
KIA Tigers rookie Young-chul Yoon (19) feels much lighter He leaves for spring camp with his arm.
In a recent interview with Star News, Yoon Young-cheol said, “The club didn’t talk about it, so I knew that I was joining the spring camp.” They talk a little bit. But everyone said they did well and said they would definitely come to the spring camp in Japan, so I’m looking forward to it too.” He was the only rookie on the list of participants for the Arizona spring camp of the KIA.
In September of last year, the KIA nominated Choongam High School left-hander Yoon Young-cheol with the 2nd overall pick in the 1st round in the 2023 KBO Rookie Draft. After that, special measures were taken. After that, until the end of 2022, Yoon Young-cheol was not allowed to catch the ball.
Usually, rookies do basic activities such as physical training and adjustment of bad pitching habits in high school through finishing camp after nomination. However, KIA focused more on protecting the shoulder of a rookie who threw a lot of balls. Yoon Young-cheol said, “I think my arms feel lighter after resting for a while. I threw the ball right after it was New Year’s. It’s been a while since I’ve thrown it, so I couldn’t balance at first, but as I keep throwing it, I think my senses are coming back little by little.”
Instead of throwing a ball, he devoted himself to weight training in Hampyeong, South Jeolla Province. There was no significant change in weight, but after about 3 months of basic physical training, I felt that I was definitely gaining strength. Yoon Young-chul said, “Weight training is difficult, but it’s fun in its own way. Certainly, doing it systematically gives me strength. It’s not the stage to check speed, but I can feel that the ball stretches better than before even when I throw it lightly. I think it might be helpful,” he said.
This year’s KIA mound is expected to delight fans’ eyes. In addition to Yang Hyeon-jong (35) and Lee Eui-ri (21), who have established themselves as constants, three young left-handers are entering the competition in earnest. Along with Kim Gi-hoon (23, 1st round designated in 2019), who has grown up in the Armed Forces Sports Corps (Sangmu), Choi Ji-min (20, 2022 2nd round 1), who is playing an ace role with an average ERA of 1.56 in Geelong Korea, Australia, Yoon Young-chul is attracting attention. are receiving
KIA coach Kim Jong-guk (50) recently hinted to Star News, “Youn Young-cheol is a player in the selection list, so I take him (to the spring camp). There is an evaluation that he is a player with high potential.”
During his high school years, he was evaluated for his excellent game management and control, and was considered a player who could become a power player immediately because of his good use of the strike zone. If the maximum speed of 144 km/h increases further, joining the starting rotation can be expected. As such, he has high expectations, but his left-handed young gun goals were modest.
Yoon Young-chul said, “It is my homework to increase the speed, but I try to increase it slowly and slowly without any burden.” I plan to test whether the ball will work and come up with a plan step by step.”
Then, “I want to hear from seniors about the strengths and weaknesses of other team players and their experience on the mound. (Jung) Hae-young (22, KIA pitcher) said, ‘I’m going to the United States for the first time in a while,’ and said, ‘Just work hard.’ “he added.
The baby tiger’s New Year’s wish for 2023 is to join the first team. Yoon Young-chul expressed his determination, “First of all, not getting hurt is the top priority. At the same time, my goal is to show my face to the fans often while gaining a lot of experience, whether it’s a starter or a middle pitcher in the first team.” 메이저놀이터