Peaceful Bullpen Life [EN]: Chapter 8

[Kim Hyung-cheol’s Straight Talk – What Changes a Veteran]

A high school first-round, first-overall pick. The record left by a pitcher with a title that only one person can have each year, immediately after debuting in the pros, is as follows:

6 wins, 52 losses, 21 holds, 2 saves, and an ERA [Earned Run Average, a measure of runs allowed per nine innings pitched] of 6.51 over 8 years.

Looking only at these results, without knowing the team the pitcher belongs to or the pitcher’s circumstances, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him released immediately.

What about the pitcher’s record in his 9th season?

2 wins, 0 losses, 4 holds, 1 save, 13 innings pitched, and an ERA of 2.08.

It’s only been a little over a month since the season started, but no one can deny that it’s an amazing record.

Who is this pitcher? The pitcher who has caused such a dramatic transformation this season is Kim Han-wool, a relief pitcher for the Wonha Challengers.

[Pitcher Kim Han-wool greets with a bright smile]

The Wonha Challengers have traditionally had a weak bullpen [the group of relief pitchers]. The starting lineup has somehow managed to stay afloat, but the bullpen has struggled every year, often negating the starters’ success.

Is the expression ‘negating’ too harsh? Actually, please note that this is a slightly toned-down word.

Wonha brought in Kim Han-wool, giving him the prestigious title of first-round, first-overall pick, expecting him to be a special bullpen pitcher.

Everyone expected that his fastball speed, which was slow even for a high school pitcher, would increase when he entered the pros, and that his natural feel for throwing various breaking balls would be sharpened even more. As for his control, the mechanics were already solid.

However, his fastball speed didn’t increase, and his breaking balls didn’t improve significantly. Nevertheless, Kim Han-wool remained on the team, whether thanks to or because of this miserable record.

He continued to play the team’s toughest roles. Frankly, as a writer, I can’t help but feel respect.

But he has changed. Very drastically. In a good way. What has changed?

First of all, the most noticeable thing is his fastball speed. His average fastball speed, which used to be a very, very slow 130kmph [kilometers per hour], is now 137kmph this season. He even broke his personal best of 135kmph, the fastest he had ever thrown since entering the pros, by 2kmph.

The spin rate of his fastball, which was far below average, has also increased dramatically. There have also been improvements in his breaking balls, but not enough to mention in detail.

However, the synergy created by mixing these two elements is definitely worth discussing in detail.

For other ordinary pitchers, it might just be a good change, but for him, it has a much bigger meaning.

After spending a long, long 10 years as just an okay player, he’s about to become a special player.

‘I want to say it’s thanks to Hyuk-joon.’

When asked about his secret, he gave credit to his teammate, pitcher Hwang Hyuk-joon, saying that he looked to Hwang Hyuk-joon’s pitching form for inspiration, rather than relying on his own efforts or ideas.

He didn’t directly copy the form itself, but he said that visualizing Hwang Hyuk-joon’s release point [the point in the pitching motion where the ball leaves the hand] being further forward played a significant role in making it a reality for him.

[Pitcher Kim Han-wool explains the release point while reaching out his hand]

Readers of this article will know what a release point is, and they will also know the benefits of bringing that release point forward, so I will skip this explanation.

Release point, release point.

It’s a term that pitching coaches, broadcasters, and the pitchers themselves constantly talk about, but actually bringing it forward is never easy.

Entering the pros means having at least a minimally complete form.

Making something that is already complete even more complete?

Doesn’t it sound difficult just to hear? Bringing the release point forward definitely falls into this category.

But he succeeded in doing it. Not only did he succeed, but he also achieved results with that success. How can I not express my respect?

It’s not the end. He is still changing to repay the team for waiting 10 years for him after drafting him as the first-round, first-overall pick, even though he wasn’t a finished product when he entered the pros.

The him who wrote this article today and the him you are reading about tomorrow will be different pitchers. I’m so excited to see what kind of pitcher he will be when this season is over.

―hhha****

└I can definitely feel the difference. Aside from the feel of the ball, I can see that the reactions of the opposing batters have changed. I think this season is really worth looking forward to.

Recommended 735 Not Recommended 21

―adgq****

└Love-hate relationship itself…….

Recommended 614 Not Recommended 67

―ujs****

└When they picked him, I thought he was the real deal, but I cursed every time he pitched……. And when he went down, I felt sorry and grateful at the same time. I heard he was going to retire after last season, but the club stopped him lololol

* * *

– Son!

“Yes, yes, yes.”

– Have you eaten?

“Don’t worry about me, worry about yourself, Mom.”

– Mom is eating well and doing well, so don’t worry. Are you hurting anywhere?

“No. I’m in such good condition that I’m worried.”

– Still, if you’re sick, be sure to tell the club. Okay?

“I’m not a rookie, I know everything.”

– Okay, work hard. Call me when you come up.

“Yes, yes. Kim, take care of yourself too.”

I’m down in Busan. It’s quite a strong team and famous for its very passionate cheering. They finished the season in 3rd place last year, and this season they are in 2nd place.

Hitting!

That’s the word that symbolizes the KP Stars. If you divide the team’s composition into four elements: pitching, defense, hitting, and running, this is the team that has put all its stats into hitting.

Last year’s team batting average was .328.

Even if an individual had that batting average, they would be called the best hitter without any question, but the team as a whole achieved that batting average.

Because the team’s stats are so focused on hitting, there are obviously clear weaknesses as well.

Baserunning, which is included in the category of offense, is at the league average level, but the pitching staff is mediocre, and the defense is full of holes.

Therefore, it is classified as a mid-to-upper tier team because it lacks the all-around ability to be a top-tier team in the league.

However, it’s not a team that has a good matchup with our team.

We have the advantage in the starting pitching matchup, and their pitching and defense aren’t very good, so I’m tired of the scenario where we score a few points in the beginning and then the bullpen ruins everything.

I finished my mom’s call and looked at the scoreboard, which was a bit past the end of the game. 4 to 8, victory. For reference, this victory is based on the home stadium, so it’s a loss for our team.

Baseball is a team game. It’s a sport where I can’t grab it by the hair and try to drag it along.

I don’t have the ability to do that in the first place.

The three-game road trip was a sweep. Combining today’s loss and the word sweep, you can see that our team lost all three games.

It was the same pattern. We got the first run without any problems, then it was overturned without any problems, and then it ended without any problems.

With a dry expression, I took my eyes off the scoreboard, slung my sports bag over my left shoulder, and started walking. I need to go back to Daejeon quickly. I want to see Woo-seok’s face.

* * *

I hadn’t pitched for several days since the series against KP. In the meantime, the team had a roller coaster ride. Either they won big, or they lost badly.

It’s not like there hasn’t been a single situation where I could have pitched, but I haven’t pitched for a week.

“Han-wool.”

“Ah, yes. Manager.”

I ran into the manager. Even though it was a slightly busy time right before the game, he made a point of coming to find me.

“How’s your shoulder?”

“It’s fine.”

“No pain anywhere?”

“It’s too good, it’s a problem.”

*So please put me up there.*

“You’ve been doing well lately. It’s not about Hyuk-joon’s form or anything, it’s the result of your hard work. It’s not good to be too humble. You can have confidence.”

“Thank you.”

I can see that he’s sincerely encouraging me. It makes my heart swell with the thought that 10 years haven’t been in vain.

“You must be itching to pitch since you haven’t pitched lately, right?”

“That…….”

*Suddenly coming in like that…….*

“…Yes.”

The manager burst out laughing when I answered awkwardly.

“How long has it been since you pitched?”

“Um… I think it’s been about 5 days if you count it by days.”

“It’s been a while.”

“It is.”

“Do you want to pitch?”

“Yes. Should I be on standby today?”

“No. You’re going to start tomorrow, so don’t waste your energy today and prepare well.”

“Yes… well…….”

“Get a shutout [prevent the opposing team from scoring any runs].”

“Yes. Yes? Yes?”

*Yes?*

“Why?”

“Yes, no, well, um, starting?”

“Yeah. Starting.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you.”

“…….”

My brain stopped.

“…Me?”

“Yeah, you.”

“Me?”

“I said it’s you.”

“Why?”

“Huh?”

“No…….”

I’m so embarrassed that I’m saying weird things.

“Kyu-jin is supposed to start tomorrow, but the blister isn’t going away.”

“No, but you’re putting me up there?”

“There’s no other pitcher.”

“No…….”

Ah, what should I say?

“Anyway, it’s confirmed that you’re starting tomorrow, so get ready.”

“…Yes.”

I could only stand there blankly, looking at the manager’s back as he left after informing me.

“What are you doing?”

“…Joo-ho.”

Joo-ho, who was passing by, woke me up from my stupor.

“Yes, senior.”

“I’m starting tomorrow.”

“Oh.”

Joo-ho seems surprised too.

“Just get a shutout.”

It’s obviously nonsense, I’m supposed to take it as a joke. I’m still so dumbfounded that my mouth won’t move.

* * *

“Then shall we go to Jamsil? Wonha is putting up their number one starter, Hwang Hyuk-joon, to break their losing streak, while Visco is countering with their number one starter, Im Ho-taek. A rare match between number one starters, let’s check it out right now!”

The screen that was showing the announcer switched to a VCR , showing the main storylines of today’s game.

Wonha got the first run from the bottom of the first inning with a leadoff walk, a sacrifice bunt failure that resulted in a double play, but a home run by the third batter.

Visco also got a leadoff walk, and then created an unusual 1st and 2nd base situation with a surprise bunt from the next batter, but an extremely rare 5-4-3 triple play occurred, ending the inning.

After that, a typical pitching battle continued, and in the bottom of the 7th inning, Wonha added a solo home run from the tired relief pitchers, widening the score gap to two points.

The top of the 8th inning was easily blocked, but the pitcher who came up in the top of the 9th inning got two outs and then created a bases-loaded situation with a walk, a hit, and a hit-by-pitch.

There, shortstop Lee Myung-jin made a diving catch on a hit ball that you might only see once in the entire season, ending the game.

After the VCR ended, the announcer in the studio summarized the storyline of the game and pointed out the turning points, continuing the conversation with the two commentators.

Content that anyone who has watched a lot of baseball broadcasts can expect.

The review of the Jamsil game ended by mentioning the points where the joy and sorrow of the bottom of the 1st inning and the top of the 2nd inning were mixed, the additional point in the bottom of the 7th inning, and the unbelievable good defense of the shortstop that came out in the top of the 9th inning with a chance to tie or reverse the score.

After that, the game review of the KP Stars and the Sungwoon Hawks, which was held in Busan, was mentioned in a similar flow, and all the game reviews held in the four stadiums were ended.

Following is the starting lineup announcement for the next day’s game.

“…And in Jamsil Stadium in Seoul, pitchers Kim Han-wool and Kim Ji-soo are on standby as starters.”

After the CG [computer graphics] screen ended, back to the studio. One of the commentators, Kim Soo-chan, who is gaining a cult following with his straightforward tone, tilted his head and started talking.

“This, am I seeing this wrong?”

“What part are you talking about?”

“It says here that Wonha’s starter is Kim Han-wool.”

“You saw it right.”

Of course, it was a pre-arranged conversation. The preview of the game that the broadcasting station was going to broadcast tomorrow was starting so naturally.

“What does this mean?”

“Han Kyu-jin’s blister condition has not improved, so he will be skipping a start and Kim Han-wool will be starting as a replacement.”

“But does Wonha have so few starting pitchers? This is not the team to do this.”

“I’m a little puzzled too. Kim Han-wool is having a great season this year, but he has never started a game before. Not just this season, but in his entire career. What do you think, commentator Lee Young-jin?”

After commentator Lee Young-jin’s first words, the screen naturally switched to a VCR, showing Kim Han-wool’s game highlights.

“First of all, Wonha has a solid starting lineup, but a very big weakness is that there are no pitchers other than the fixed starting lineup that can be said to be good.”

*Thud!* The Wonha logo and a profile picture of Kim Han-wool smiling brightly next to it are shown.

“They don’t want to disrupt the starting rotation, and there are no suitable pitchers in the minor leagues right now. Wonha, who is fighting for 4th place, is probably thinking that it’s better to put up a reliable pitcher who has made a turnaround this season, even though all of his appearances have been as a reliever, rather than gambling on another pitcher like a lottery ticket. Kim Han-wool has also rested for the last 5 days, 6 days including today, so he should have enough stamina.”

His pitching form this season. He was seen getting outs by producing strikeouts and ground balls with various pitches, and then clenching his fists and celebrating.

He adds one more point to gain credibility for his story.

“Actually, Kim Han-wool is not a typical bullpen type. His fastball speed is very slow, but he has very good control and various breaking balls. Don’t you think he’s perfect for a starter?”

“Oh, that’s right.”

“If you think about it together with the team’s situation I mentioned earlier, it seems that Wonha has judged that Kim Han-wool is perfect for the current situation. However, as you said, the key is how to manage his stamina since it is his first start.”

“Then how do you evaluate Visco, commentator Kim Soo-chan?”

“Visco must have been very surprised that Kim Han-wool is coming out as a starter. They may have been strong against Kim Han-wool until now, but this year is different because…….”

The sudden start of one player was leading to the two commentators’ in-depth analysis.