Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 296

#295. The Reincarnation of Greg Maddux

‘Ugh…’

The Mariners successfully swept the Marlins thanks to Rafael Osuna’s two-run home run and the strong performance of their backup players.

Their next opponents were the Atlanta Braves, a formidable team in the National League East.

The Braves, vying with the Phillies for the division title this season, are traditionally known for their strong pitching.

From the 90s to the early 2000s, they dominated the league with their trio of Cy Young winners: Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, and Tom Glavine.

Much time has passed, and the legacy of that era seems distant, but even after that golden age, Atlanta has consistently prioritized starting pitchers, developing talent in their own farm system and strategically acquiring free agents, making them a model franchise for pitching-focused baseball.

This season is no different.

While they may not be quite on par with the legendary trio of Maddux, Smoltz, and Glavine, they’ve built a solid rotation centered around three starting pitchers who could be considered among the league’s best.

Miguel Navarro, a right-handed pitcher from the Dominican Republic nurtured in their farm system, is a control pitcher reminiscent of Greg Maddux in his prime.

Atlanta fans affectionately call Willie Gay, a left-handed control pitcher who is their number two starter, the second Tom Glavine.

Furthermore, Jay Ward, the third starter, has recorded the second-fastest pitch this season at 105 mph, just behind Han Su-hyeok. Although he can be inconsistent due to control issues, his fastball is so electric that some call him the reincarnation of John Smoltz.

‘Why this rotation… Damn it.’

Benjamin’s expression is grim as he sits in the visiting team’s manager’s office. Atlanta’s ace trio is scheduled to start in order during this three-game series.

Originally, they were supposed to start in the first three-game series of the second half, but their appearances were delayed due to various reasons, including All-Star Game selections, conditioning adjustments, and minor injuries.

Consequently, Atlanta, having suffered 1 win and 2 losses in their three-game series against their division rival Phillies, desperately needed a winning series against Seattle.

Of course, Seattle, with their sights set on the World Series, couldn’t afford to back down either.

The problem was Seattle’s starting lineup.

Facing Atlanta, who would be sending their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd starters to the mound in order, Seattle had to counter with their 4th, 5th, and 1st starters.

Hayashi Rentaro, the 4th starter acquired from Milwaukee to bolster the rotation, and Dimon Anderson Jr., the 5th starter, needed to secure a win in one of their starts.

Only then could they realistically hope to win the final game, in which their ace, Ryan, would pitch.

‘Hmm…….’

As the season wears on, players are increasingly feeling the effects of physical exhaustion.

Seattle, in particular, has played more games than many other teams.

Several players require careful stamina management, including Ty Johnson, a cornerstone of the team, Chuck Clark, the right fielder who plays almost every game, and Bruce Matthews, the starting catcher.

‘Damn it, it always comes down to this.’

Manager Benjamin clicked his tongue and stared at the blank lineup sheet.

He had intended to give Han Su-hyeok, the team’s linchpin, a day off after sweeping the Marlins.

However, the thought of facing Miguel Navarro, Atlanta’s ace, without Han Su-hyeok made him anxious and his heart race.

‘Oh, Lord.’

Benjamin, silently invoking divine aid, wrote Han Su-hyeok’s name on the lineup sheet.

Then, something remarkable happened.

The anxiety that had been plaguing him vanished, and his racing heart calmed as if by magic.

Manager Benjamin realized something profound.

Han Su-hyeok was the baseball god he needed right now.

The agent of God, descended to earth.

Filled with renewed gratitude for the opportunity to manage such a player, Manager Benjamin began to fill in the remaining slots.

* * *

“While we were sweeping the Marlins, Oakland also swept Minnesota. That means today is an all-out battle. If anyone absolutely can’t play, come see me in my office.”

Manager Benjamin posted the starting lineup sheet on the locker room wall and left, leaving those words hanging in the air.

The players, who had been resting or grabbing a bite to eat, crowded around the lineup sheet.

1st: Center Fielder Derek Fleming

2nd: 3rd Baseman Han Su-hyeok

3rd: 1st Baseman Ty Johnson

4th: Right Fielder Chuck Clark

5th: Left Fielder Jim Brown

6th: Designated Hitter Antonio Garcia

7th: Catcher Bruce Matthews

8th: 2nd Baseman Liam Landman

9th: Shortstop Josh Oliver

Starting Pitcher: Hayashi Rentaro

“……”

Jonathan Owens, once again excluded from the starting lineup, lowered his head and walked out of the locker room.

With the manager declaring it an all-out war, being left out despite being healthy meant he understood that this lineup represented the manager’s best chance to win.

It’s not a certainty, but I know one way to potentially alleviate that guy’s concerns.

In his previous life, Jonathan Owens, struggling with a batting slump, attempted to transform himself into a switch hitter, and although he was eventually traded, he became a much more potent offensive player.

But now isn’t the right time to bring it up.

Discussing that during the season would only confuse him.

If he’s still grappling with the same problem at the end of the season, then I can offer my suggestion.

Of course, it’s his decision whether to take it or not.

“Hayashi, why so gloomy? Something wrong? Is it because you’re facing Miguel Navarro?”

“No, I’m just… um, it’s nothing.”

Hayashi, hesitating slightly at Bruce’s question, eventually returned to his locker without elaborating.

Before a game, the atmosphere in a big league locker room is often chaotic.

It’s like cramming dozens of grown men with oversized bodies into one space without supervision.

Some guys are huddled around a game console in the center of the room, playing a $100 betting game.

Others are playing cards at a table, some are dancing in a way that’s almost painful to watch, and still others are running around playing childish pranks.

In such a setting, Hayashi usually prefers to spend his time quietly alone.

Well, calmness is a common trait among most Asians, especially Japanese players, except for me, but he seemed particularly down today.

Is he feeling the pressure of his first start since the trade, or is it because he’s facing Atlanta’s ace, Miguel Navarro, as Bruce suggested?

I guess I’ll find out once the game begins.

* * *

“Play!”

In the top of the 1st inning, Seattle’s leadoff hitter, Derek Fleming, stepped to the plate.

Miguel Navarro, Atlanta’s ace and today’s starter, was one of the toughest pitchers I faced before my regression [return to a previous state or form].

After I fully transitioned to being a hitter and was forging a new career, a broadcaster once asked me a question.

‘Who do you think is the best pitcher?’

I answered like this.

‘As time goes on and human bodies and techniques evolve, pitchers who rely on speed or power will inevitably fade into obscurity.’

‘If you brought pitchers like Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez, who dominated the league in the 90s and 2000s, to the 2030s, would they be able to exert the same dominance?’

‘Fans of those pitchers might get upset, but we all know that wouldn’t happen.’

‘Because the value of a 100 mph fastball, which was almost magical back then, has diminished significantly.’

‘However, the fundamentals of pitching…’

‘In other words, the value of a pitcher who is one step ahead in the mental battle with the hitter and knows how to dissect the hitter with exquisite control and pitch selection, that never changes.’

‘In that sense, I think Greg Maddux is the best pitcher of all time.’

After the interview aired, I had to temporarily shut down my social media due to protests from baseball fans who disagreed with me, but my opinion remains unchanged.

The value of pitching that transcends eras – Greg Maddux embodied that.

Swoosh

Paang

“Strike!”

Of course, comparing Miguel Navarro, who is currently on the mound for Atlanta, to Greg Maddux might be a bit of a stretch.

Nevertheless, from the uniform he wears to his pitching style, even his slightly rounded physique, he seems to be adored by Atlanta fans.

Regardless, I need to be focused.

He might be the toughest pitcher I’ve faced since joining the big leagues.

Swoosh

Paang

“Strike! Out!”

“Fuck!”

Of course, that applied to more than just me.

Derek, who struck out on three pitches due to a deceptive sequence, grumbled as he returned to the dugout.

[2nd Hitter: Third Baseman Han Su-hyeok]

Normally, I’d try to rattle the catcher first, but today there’s no need.

Because today, the pitch selection isn’t dictated by the bench or the catcher, but by Miguel Navarro himself.

Tuk tuk

I tap the plate with my bat and consider my approach.

What makes this pitcher so dangerous is that he has the guts and the control to confidently throw the ball into what he perceives as the hitter’s weakness.

Even with a .400 batting average and nearly 50 home runs, I’m not without vulnerabilities.

For one, my reaction to low outside pitches is slightly worse than it was in the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] due to the adjustments I made to my swing to better handle big league pitchers.

Therefore, against a pitcher like Miguel Navarro, I need to avoid swinging like I normally do.

Instead, I need a more consistent and disciplined approach.

Miguel Navarro throws two-seam fastballs more often than four-seamers, and mixes in changeups, sliders, and curves to keep hitters off balance.

Four-seam or two-seam, I need to anticipate one of them.

If I were the pitcher, what would I throw to me as the first pitch?

A two-seamer right down the middle.

Yes, the optimal pitch right now is a two-seamer down the middle, designed to surprise the hitter and induce a ground ball.

If I were him, that’s exactly what I’d throw.

That’s what I’m anticipating.

Deudeudeuk

I set my stance, ready for a two-seamer down the middle.

The moment I’m fully prepared, a white blur is released from Miguel Navarro’s fingertips.

Following his pitching motion, one, two,

Ttaak!

Eh?

“Waaaaaaa!”

“Good! Miguel! You got the monster!”

A weak ground ball, barely making contact with the top of the bat, is easily caught by the center fielder.

I was fooled.

My prediction of a pitch down the middle was correct.

But the pitch type was wrong.

Four-seam.

That crafty veteran threw a 90 mph four-seamer right down the heart of the plate against a hitter who’s already hit nearly 50 home runs this season.

“Hehe, you get tricked sometimes, too.”

“Damn it, no joke, Ty. The ball feels heavier than it looks.”

“I know, it’s not like I haven’t faced that guy before.”

“I don’t think he’ll throw a four-seamer to Ty.”

“Well, maybe not. Who knows what he’s thinking? Anyway, watch closely from the dugout. I’ll give him a taste of his own medicine and come back.”

“I hope so.”

“Okay, just watch.”

There’s a saying:

‘Beware of those who say, ‘Just watch.” [Implies a threat or promise of retribution]

Ty Johnson, who made a lot of noise before stepping to the plate, eventually grounded out to the infield after just three pitches.

My assessment of Miguel Navarro’s performance so far is that he’s at his peak.

Today’s game won’t be easy.

The genius pitcher is hiding 170km [170 kilometers per hour, approximately 106 mph]