It’s hard to see it as fighting spirit. Is it harsh if you conclude that it is overkill? Won Tae-in (Samsung) was overdoing it.
Korea’s World Baseball Classic journey ended in the first round of three consecutive tournaments. The competition is over, but there are some points to point out. There was a mysterious part in the composition and operation of the mound. It is representative that only 10 starting pitchers were taken in a tournament where elaborate pitcher replacement, such as the three-hitter rule, was essential, and that only 5 professional bullpens were used.
In international competitions, especially the WBC held before the season, pitchers’ condition and face build-up are key variables. It was heard here and there that the pitchers of the national team were not in good shape. So, even as manager Lee Kang-cheol, he had to run the tournament mainly for pitchers in good condition, which inevitably increased the fatigue of certain pitchers.
While playing 4 games in this tournament, there were 3 pitchers in 3 games: Won Tae-in, Jeong Cheol-won (Doosan), and Kim Won-joong (Lotte). Of course, it is difficult to say that it was extremely overworked in an absolute mood because of the pitch limit. Won Tae-in threw 81 pitches in 4⅓ innings, Jeong Cheol-won threw 33 pitches in 1⅓ innings, and Kim Won-joong threw 30 pitches in 1⅔ innings.
Professional bullpens Jeong Cheol-won and Kim Won-joong are accustomed to playing three games in five days. However, Won Tae-in is a starting pitcher. Looking at the range a little more, Won Tae-in threw 27 pitches in 2 innings in an official practice match against the Hanshin Tigers on the 7th. In other words, he pitched 4 games and 108 pitches in 7 days from the 7th to China on the 13th.
▲Pitching log after Won Tae-in entered Japan (4 games in 7 days, 6⅓ innings, 3 runs, 108 pitches) 7th
Hanshin / 2nd pitcher / 2 innings, 2 hits, 2 strikeouts, no runs / 27 pitches,
9th Australia / 2nd pitcher / 1⅓ innings 1 strikeout, 1 walk, no runs/26 pitches
, 10th Japan/2nd pitcher/2 innings, 2 hits, 1 strikeout, 1 walk, 1 run/29 pitches,
13 days China/Starter/1 inning, 3 hits, 3 strikeouts, 1 walk, 2 runs/26
pitches I’m not familiar with the bullpen,안전놀이터 but even with a professional bullpen, it was never a comfortable level of mounding. Depending on how you look at it, you could say it was overkill, but what is clear is that it was overkill. It’s not that easy for a starting pitcher to become a second pitcher, and he even had a series of fights.
If there were a few more professional bullpens in the national team, would Won Tae-in have been burdened to this extent? Now, Won Tae-in has to go back to Samsung and prepare as a starting pitcher. The time and process it takes to recover to normal condition while completely escaping from the existing season preparation routine have emerged as a hot topic. It is also difficult to see that he is not at risk of injury.
When a player wears the Taegeuk mark, it is natural that he dedicates himself to the country. However, it is difficult to force commitment even while increasing individual risk. A player’s body is a property. In the end, you can tell by looking at Won Tae-in’s moves and pitches at the beginning of this season. Whether or not the energy consumption of this competition was unreasonable. Almost all pitchers are reluctant to talk specifically about their level of fatigue.