KIA Tigers’ key bullpen Jang Hyeon-sik (28) is steadily picking up the pace.
Jang Hyun-sik, who underwent surgery on a bone fragment in his right elbow last October, devoted himself to rehabilitation last winter. KIA coach Kim Jong-guk looked at the time of Jang Hyun-sik’s return from the end of April to the beginning of May at the Arizona spring camp in the United States in February.
Jang Hyun-sik started pitching in the actual game. In the Futures League match against the NC Dinos on the 6th, he scored 1 run in 1⅓ innings with 3 hits and 4 balls. The number of pitches was 25.
Jang Hyun-sik, who took a day off, made his second appearance in the Futures League on the 8th. In the match against the Samsung Lions 2nd Division, he achieved a record of 1 inning, 1 hit, 1 hit, 4 balls, and no runs. 13 pitches were enough. On this day, Jang Hyeon-sik checked his pitching mainly with 10 fastballs and intermittently mixed forkballs (3).
Most encouraging of all is the improved fastball velocity. There was no significant change in the maximum speed of the fastball. Hyunsik Jang threw a maximum of 145 km/h on the 6th, and sprayed a maximum of 146 km/h in the game on the 8th. However, his average velocity has increased noticeably. Jang Hyun-sik, who recorded an average speed of 138 km/h on the 6th, recorded an average speed of 144 km/h two days later.
Currently, Jang Hyun-sik’s void is being filled by Jeon Sang-hyun, Lee Jun-young, and Kim Dae-yu. KIA is not in a hurry to call Jang Hyun-sik. When he is in perfect shape he plans to enroll in the first team. For the time being, Hyunsik Jang will improve his condition in the Futures League.
Manager Kim Jong-guk showed a cautious attitude, saying, “I have to fight in the Futures League and throw several times. After checking the condition, I will try to call up if there is no pain.”
This season, the KIA has Jeon Sang-hyun,메이저사이트 Lee Jun-young, and Kim Dae-yu as the winning group, centered on closer Jung Hae-young. Jung Hae-young faltered with a blown save against the Doosan Bears the day before, but the rest of the pitchers are doing their part.
Setup man Jeon Sang-hyun played a pivotal role by striking out 4 runs in 2⅓ innings, and Lee Jun-young scored 1 scoreless inning. Kim Dae-yu played in 3 games and made the most appearances in the team.
If Jang Hyun-sik is added here, the bullpen will build a much stronger lineup. Sooner or later, thousands of troops will join the bullpen mound. The picture that KIA wants unfolds.