“I had a big league opportunity, but I wanted to play.”
LG Twins’ new foreign pitcher Eliaser Hernandez threw the ball vigorously in a stripe uniform. Hernandez, who entered the country on the afternoon of the 25th, had his first bullpen session at Jamsil Stadium on the afternoon of the 27th. During the pitching, a sudden heavy rain poured out, but he threw all the scheduled balls regardless.
He threw a total of 40 pitches while working with catcher Kim Sung-woo, and checked his condition by spraying all the pitches he could throw, including fastballs (15), changeups (7), cutters (sliders), six curves, three sweepers, and three two-seam.
Since then, he also had his first interview with Korean reporters.
When asked why he came to LG, he said, “I had a chance in the big league,” and added, “LG contacted me when I wanted to continue playing, so I decided.” 핑크알바
Hernandez’s tenet is to do his best. “What I can say with confidence no matter what the situation is that I will do my best to throw the ball,” Hernandez said.
There was a pitcher who made him think that way. Felix Hernandez, a Venezuelan pitcher, is a legendary pitcher who won 169-136 with a 3.42 ERA and 2,524 strikeouts during 15 seasons with the Seattle Mariners in the Major League from 2005 to 2019.
Hernandez said, “When Felix was active, I always watched his Intense View, and there’s something he always said. “You don’t know what’s going to happen. That’s why you have to do your best. I loved that phrase. That’s why I decided to throw it.”
As of Tuesday, LG ranks second, five games behind the Kia Tigers. The team has to challenge with the same mindset as Hernandez,
When asked if he had asked an experienced player of the KBO League, he asked Denny Reyes, who plays for the Samsung Lions. While playing for Triple-A last year, Hernandez said, “Reyes didn’t reply. I should ask him in person.” He also played with Austin Dean, who plays for LG, when he was with the Miami Marlins.
“I throw fastballs, sliders, sweepers, curves, changeups, and two-seam,” Hernandez said. “Crystal balls vary depending on the situation of the game and the ball combination,” adding, “I am confident that I will throw any ball well.”
After signing his contract, he learned how to play baseball by watching LG games. “I saw Austin strongly produce many good pitches, and I also saw captain Kim Hyun-soo do his best. I also saw shortstop Oh Ji-hwan do his best. I will do my best like a player here,” Hernandez said.
LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop gave a very generous evaluation of Hernández. “I like his mechanics very much. Some U.S. pitchers throw only their upper bodies, but Hernández has good overall balance by using his lower body in an oriental style,” Yeom said. “Even if I throw 100, my speed will not drop significantly.”
Hernandez is planning to take a real start in the second team around Wednesday after getting a visa next week and then a first team appearance the following week.