Hwang Dong-ha (22), the Kia Tigers’ “uptempo right-hander,” is the least burdened pitcher with the pitch clock in the KBO league. The pitch tempo is quite fast originally. Hwang even used the PeachCom receiver three to four times including the match against the Hanwha Eagles in Daejeon on Tuesday. A Kia official explained that he takes it quite comfortably.메이저사이트
Hwang’s concern is not the pitch’s tempo but the pitch’s contents. He had pitched faster than others, but the pitch itself was not stable. However, after visiting the Seattle Driveline Baseball Center last winter, he improved his fastball speed to up to 145 kilometers by correcting his pitching form and balance.
And he upgraded his main weapon, the Fork Ball. He rarely uses the newly installed sweeper. Instead, he maximized his power by mixing fork balls and sliders. As his fastball pitching has improved, he has remarkably stable game compared to previous years.
In the match against the Hanwha Eagles in Daejeon on Sunday, Hwang pitched well, allowing four hits (one homer) with two strikeouts, two walks and three runs in five innings. Still, many cases are that Lee Bum-ho replaces Hwang in five innings or around 80 pitches. Although he gained strength as a starting pitcher this year, he is not considered a card that can stably block six innings. This is the first full-time starting season.
For the sake of his team’s health, Hwang should throw at least six innings immediately. However, if he fails to yield good results by allowing his team to play six innings too hard, Kia and Hwang will also suffer. As a result, Hwang recorded four wins and five losses and an earned run average of 5.02 in 18 games this season, making quality start only in one inning.
Though not as strong as last year’s, there are still ups and downs in the Yellow River. However, Lee said, “The Yellow River will definitely change in two to three years,” predicting a bright future. If he maintains good health and gains experience, he will become a right-handed starting pitcher who represents Kia that can throw more than six innings. This is the so-called “Miracle of Round 7.”
Manager Lee Bum-ho said, “Every starting pitcher gets a home run. Dong-ha gives good pitching. When the batting order turns two and three times, there is still a situation where we have to wait and see. So if you show good performance up to 80 pitches, you can move the bullpen quickly. I hope that I will continue to take care of my body like I am now and be reborn as a good starting pitcher.”
Hwang Dong-ha’s arm swing has improved considerably. “He has fast tempo and fast arm swing. I think there are parts that batters are confused with (because his arm swing is fast in both fastballs and fastballs). His speed also reached 145 kilometers at the beginning of the season. Now he has a little low stamina, so he can play in the late 130-km range to early 140-km range, but that’s why he is doing well,” said Lee.
He has limited experience. “If he continues to shorten the tempo like he is now, increases the speed through training, and starts throwing breaking balls to corners, I think he will be a good resource as a starting pitcher in two to three years,” Lee said.