The Hanwha Eagles’ super talent has started to falter. Kim Seo-hyun (20), a “160-km fireballer,” roared last week by striking out two genius batters. Now, he is in the process of being promoted to a must-win group for the bullpen.
Kim Seo-hyun made two highlight films last week. He struck out Kang Baek-ho (KT) and Kim Do-young (KIA), the “genius hitters” who represent the KBO League, and left strong impression.
Kim Seo-hyun, who appeared in relief at the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs and a runner on the first base, faced off Kang as his first batter in the match against Suwon KT on April 31. Kim Seo-hyun, who caught the strike by banking on his first slider at the outside borderline, stole the swing and miss on the second pitch by throwing a slider that fell low on the outside.
In the two-strike advantageous count, Kim Seo-hyun chose a slider again. Kang Baek-ho’s bat was in vain on the slider that was slightly bent toward the low center. Kang Baek-ho, who turned a full swing, sank into the batter’s box, and Kim Seo-hyun was delighted by hitting a big glove.
After striking out Kang on three pitches with three sliders, Kim allowed three outs and a perfect hold in the bottom of the eighth inning, allowing no run in the first ⅓. Oh Jae-il was also struck out by Kim Seo-hyun’s sliders in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Kim Seo-hyun, who started consecutive pitching against KT on the following day, took the mound at the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs and runners on the first and second bases, and struck out Park Min-seok to end the inning. Sliders were powerful again this time. He counted with an outside slider at one or two consecutive pitches, and stole a swing and miss with a slider that fell below the zone at the fifth pitch.
It was regrettable that he was substituted with the bases loaded with no outs and no outs after giving three consecutive walks in the bottom of the ninth inning, but there were no aftereffects. Kim Seo-hyun allowed one hit, one out and one strikeout in one inning at the match against KIA in Daejeon on March 3, the next day he took the mound. Kim struck out Kim Do-yeong with runners on the first and second bases with one out in the top of the seventh inning when his team was losing 3-4.
Kim Seo-hyun, who had the advantageous count by hitting strikes and fouls on his second or third slider after the first pitch, chose a fastball as a decision ball to go head-to-head. Based on the track man, his fastball of 156 kilometers per hour was lowered to pass the strike zone, and Kim Do-young watched him with no movement. He turned right from the batter’s box and went straight to the dugout, which was perfect for him. It was hard for him to produce a good hit even if he hit the ball.
The next batter, Choi Hyung-woo, also induced a groundout to the shortstop by hitting a fastball on the first pitch, overcame the crisis with one out and runners on the first and second bases without losing a point. He lowered his ERA for this season to 1.53, continuing his growth.
Kim Seo-hyun, the “fireballer” who came in first round as the first overall pick in the KBO rookie draft last year, showed off his special talent by spraying a maximum of 160.7 kilometers per hour based on the trackman from his first year. Since then, he has suffered growing pains due to sudden ball control difficulties, and this year, he has wandered up and down the first and second divisions amid frequent changes in his pitching form.
However, changes began after Kim Kyung-moon took office in early June. Kim called Kim Seo-hyun, who was in the second division, to Daejeon to have a meal and revive the self-esteem of a promising player. “I have too many thoughts. At your age, you have to live a simple life,” Kim said, awakening Kim Seo-hyun, who had no clue. Since then, he fixed his pitching form as one, and started double kick to prevent his body from being tilted forward, before gradually gaining balance and control of his pitches. 스포츠토토
Since returning to the first team in July, he has displayed potential with 11 games, including one loss and two holds, with an ERA of 0.84. Although he allowed seven walks during 10 ⅔ innings, he struck out 11 and has a batting average of only 20 percent. He has been in the process of getting promoted to the must-win group by playing an important and tight position, including his first hold since his debut against LG at Jamsil LG on April 28.
After returning to the first team, Kim asked foreign pitcher Ryan Weiss for advice. “I’m playing catch ball with TWICE, and I have a lot to learn because my arm and throw are similar. I’m a fastball pitcher, but I like breaking balls. I’m trying to steal changeups and sliders,” Kim said.
Weiss also said, “I sometimes ask how Kim Seo-hyun can throw better. Whenever he does, he said, ‘You have good fastballs and good breaking balls. The most important thing is to trust yourself as much as possible and throw with confidence,'” adding, “Kim Seo-hyun has been doing really well recently. He will do better if he believes in himself.”