Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 48

#47. New Power

﹂Feels like I watched real baseball for the first time in a while.

﹂You say that after seeing the bullpen give up 4 runs in one inning?

﹂With a 10-point lead, they still brought in the closer, lol.

﹂Sigh… let’s just focus on the positives. Only the good things. Let’s just think about Su-hyeok’s home runs.

﹂But seriously, the team is completely different since Han Su-hyeok came back.

﹂Comm) Seriously, what did Han Su-hyeok do to hold a grudge against us? Why was he so determined to hit and run yesterday?

﹂Comm) He got suspended because of the Magicians, so why is he taking it out on us?

﹂Considering how much we’ve been tormented by Choi Gyeong-jae over the past few years, we still have a long way to go.

﹂If I were Choi Gyeong-jae, I would refuse to pitch against the Warriors from now on, lol.

It is said that humans overcome extreme loss and sorrow through five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

The Warriors fans, who had gone through denial, anger, and bargaining, and were somewhere in the middle of depression and acceptance during the four games I missed, are now all over the internet again, acting as if nothing happened.

We lost the first game against Suwon, but we turned the tide by winning the second game—my comeback game. However, the third game was canceled due to rain, so we had to take a breather.

So, after 20 games since the start of the season, the standings of the 10 teams were as follows:

1st Incheon Rangers

2nd Suwon Commanders

3rd Seoul Magicians

4th Seoul Warriors

5th Daejeon Falcons

6th Gwangju Jaguars

7th Changwon Raptors

8th Seoul Fighters

9th Daegu Buffaloes

10th Busan Titans

The Incheon Rangers, who had emerged from nearly a decade of slump and won the Korean Series [championship series] last season, are in first place again this season, with Suwon in second, the Magicians in third, and the Warriors in fourth.

In the mid-tier, the perennial underdogs, Daejeon Falcons, are showing some strength for the first time in a while, holding onto fifth place, with Gwangju and Changwon following closely behind, one and one and a half games behind, respectively, fueling their hopes for the playoffs.

The bottom tier is a bit depressing. The Warriors and Falcons, who were last and ninth last season, have risen sharply in the standings, while the Fighters, Buffaloes, and Titans are stuck in 8th, 9th, and 10th place, respectively.

And today, we’ve come down to Daegu for a three-game away series against the 9th-place Buffaloes.

“They look pathetic when you look at them. The team collapsing doesn’t feel like someone else’s problem.”

“Hyung [older brother/senior], you’re such a busybody. Do we have time to worry about others right now?”

“I guess not… well, we have enough problems of our own.”

At the Daegu Baseball Stadium before the game, Seniors Jo Seong-oh and Lee Man-sik, who were warming up on the field, continued chatting while watching the opposing team’s players.

Daegu Buffaloes.

Along with the Warriors, they are a prestigious club that was founded in the inaugural year of professional baseball in 1982 and has won the Korean Series 8 times and the regular season 9 times.

They have never finished last in the 45 years since their founding until last season, and they may be facing that humiliation for the first time this year.

“When we were rookies, it was crazy when we played against them.”

“Oh, that’s ancient history. The kids these days complain, hyung.”

Before the Warriors built their dynasty by winning three championships in the late 2010s, the Buffaloes had won four championships in the early 2010s.

The Daegu Buffaloes were the team that, along with the Warriors, dominated Korean baseball in the 2010s based on their strong financial power.

However, everything changed when the parent company’s leadership was transferred and the son, who had no interest in baseball, took over as chairman.

The baseball team’s management, which had been directly handled by the group headquarters, was transferred to an affiliate, and subsidies were cut by more than half.

Players who could not adapt to the sudden changes left for other teams one by one, and the remaining players lost their motivation.

That’s how the Buffaloes’ downfall began.

In some ways, it looks a lot like the Warriors.

Of course, the Warriors have never spent money like those Buffaloes.

Seriously… is it even possible that they’ve only signed an external free agent [FA] once in 45 years since their founding?

Considering that they have won six championships with such insufficient support, the old Warriors must have been a team with considerable potential.

“Hey, Chun. Don’t be nervous, relax. Okay? Just focus on getting through one inning at a time.”

“Yes, Coach. I understand.”

“Oh, your English is quite fluent. I guess we don’t need an interpreter.”

“I started in the military and have been studying steadily.”

“Good. Your English is pretty good. Shall we throw a few balls?”

In the bullpen, pitching coach Jackson Sullivan, who has been struggling with the recent collapse of the middle relief, was talking to the left-handed pitcher who will be starting today.

Currently, our team’s starting rotation is running on a 4-man rotation with foreign players Ryan Stark and Brooks Parker, Lee Man-sik, and Jung Tae-ho. The 5th starter spot is being temporarily filled as needed.

To be honest, it’s hard to say that it’s a stable starting lineup, but compared to the middle relief that’s putting on a fireworks show every game, things are a lot better.

Accordingly, manager Lee Dae-jun and the coaching staff are focusing on a starting-heavy baseball strategy as much as possible this season and are experimenting with various things to find the fifth starting pitcher.

“Hmm, good. The speed just now was… 141km/h. Was that full power?”

“I can go up to 143 if I push it a little.”

“Okay, I see. Considering you’re a left-hander… not bad. Um, okay, I understand, and can I give you a few words of advice?”

“I’m all ears, Coach.”

“Good, I heard that you stay up late looking at your smartphone in the team dorm. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to interfere with your personal life. With your looks, I’d be addicted to social media too, haha.”

“……”

“Anyway, that’s it. It’s good to increase your social media followers right away, but I think eyesight is very important for a pitcher. I’ve seen several pitchers lose their balance because of glasses or lenses.”

“I understand.”

“I’m glad you understand. Increasing your social media followers will be much faster by becoming a famous player as a winning pitcher than by posting a few nice pictures of yourself. I know from experience.”

“Thank you for the advice.”

“Good, I know you’ll refrain from using your smartphone late at night, so I look forward to a great pitch today.”

That 5-year left-handed pitcher, who served in the military as an active duty soldier and just returned to the team, seems to be making his first appearance in the first team.

According to the former second-team coach’s report, his form was too clean and the movement of the ball was too bland, so it was written that it was difficult to use him in the first team. In addition, a memo stating that his personality was not good was also attached.

It’s not like some scribble written by a baseball fan, but the report of an active professional baseball coach is like that.

I can’t bring back the guy I already kicked out of the team and ask him again, so I have no choice but to watch for now.

I watched him practice pitching.

A textbook-like clean overhand pitching form with about 140 km/h fastballs, sinkers, changeups, and curves.

Hmm.

It’s not bad, but there’s nothing outstanding about it either. Except for the fact that he’s quite handsome, his first impression as a pitcher is plain itself.

In the past, if a left-hander threw 140 km/h, he would have been useful as a relief pitcher, but as the speed of pitchers has generally increased, it is difficult to use that speed as a left-handed specialist unless there are other weapons.

Still, considering this team’s pitching ability, I would have tested him in the first team at least once… or maybe there is a serious problem that is not visible on the surface.

Anyway, I’ll know when I see him throw directly.

Why he couldn’t come up to the first team even once and served in the military as an active duty soldier, and why the new pitching coach brought this player up to the first team.

* * *

“Good. Go and show those guys what you’re made of.”

The pitching coach thought.

If this friend, who has distinct features and is so handsome that he looks like a mixed-race person at first glance, throws even half as well as he looks today, a new star will be born on this team.

After the coach returned to the dugout, Chun Sang-jin thought.

‘I don’t really use social media, but I think I was misunderstood.’

Should I carry around a large tablet from now on?

Pushing away the rising thoughts, he slowly began practicing pitching.

The battery [pitcher-catcher duo] that will be working with him today is Jang Deok-su.

Since this is Chun Sang-jin’s first appearance in the first team anyway, it was the same to him no matter who was playing as the catcher.

One thing he liked was that Jang Deok-su was so big that he felt like he could catch anything he threw near home plate.

In addition, considering his league-leading bench-clearing suppression ability, he thought it would be good to be a little more daring when facing inside batters when he forms a battery with him.

Pang

“Good, Sang-jin. Good ball. Let’s keep it up.”

Chun Sang-jin, who slightly bowed his head to Jang Deok-su, who was shouting encouragement, looked around at the fielders who would protect his back one by one.

Senior Jo Seong-oh, who is playing as the first baseman today, is a fairly reliable first baseman, at least when it comes to defense. Since he started his career as a second baseman in the first place, he is also skilled at handling hard-hit balls.

Second baseman Lee Chang-mo is reassuring just to look at.

His offensive power has also increased slightly compared to last season, but Lee Chang-mo is still a player who makes you think of defense first. Chun Sang-jin, who was also a fan of Lee Chang-mo when he advanced to the major leagues, smiled unconsciously.

He turned his gaze to the outfield in the distance.

Left fielder Kim Su-hak, center fielder Choi Min-seok, and right fielder Max Walker.

It’s hard to say that it’s the best, but it’s still a combination that is above the average of the 10 teams in terms of outfield defense.

He moved his gaze back to the infield.

A large-bodied junior standing on third base with a stern expression.

In fact, the third base guarded by Ahn Chi-wook is a bit unstable.

But…

“Don’t just stand there, loosen your ankles. Don’t twist them and cause trouble.”

“Ah, come on. I know without you telling me.”

A smile unconsciously appeared on Chun Sang-jin’s face.

It was because he saw Han Su-hyeok, who was approaching Ahn Chi-wook and constantly nagging him.

People are usually distracted by Han Su-hyeok’s flashy offensive power.

But Chun Sang-jin was different. What he was really interested in was Han Su-hyeok as a shortstop.

Chun Sang-jin, whose hobby is watching not only domestic baseball but also major league and Japanese professional baseball games as much as possible, has concluded about Han Su-hyeok as follows.

A shortstop sent by God, a natural defender who will not appear again for at least 20 years, maybe even 50 years.

When he first saw Han Su-hyeok on TV, he wondered how he could play shortstop with that big body.

However, after confirming Han Su-hyeok’s tremendous speed, agility, instantaneous judgment, and inexplicably experienced instincts, he completely abandoned that thought.

From then on, he dreamed. Dreaming of throwing a ball with Han Su-hyeok as a shortstop behind him.

And today, that dream has finally come true.

Temporary starter Chun Sang-jin, who is taking the mound as the 4th starter Jung Tae-ho postponed his appearance by one day due to a mild cold.

Chun Sang-jin, who is making his first appearance on the first team stage, was feeling more excited than burdened.

It’s a pleasant thrill.

The second-team pitching coach who taught him before he enlisted in the military openly ignored Chun Sang-jin.

He was a man who had the philosophy that left-handed pitchers should throw sidearms and that sliders should have a large angle. In the first place, he didn’t even talk to players who weren’t from the same school.

Chun Sang-jin, who never gave up his overhand pitching form, couldn’t throw sliders at all, and came from a school that had no connection with the Warriors, was always outside his interest.

But what can he do?

He knew. If he, who had no outstanding physical gifts, wanted to maintain at least 140km/h of speed, which is the first team cutline, he had to maintain his current form and balance no matter what.

While he was serving in the military as an active duty soldier, that pitching coach was kicked out of the team, and Chun Sang-jin is now preparing for his first appearance under the new club system.

Whose words were right? The results will soon tell everything.

“Play ball!”

The umpire announced the start of the game.

The Daegu Buffaloes’ first batter, who has been on a three-game losing streak and whose team atmosphere has been depressed, enters the plate.

Right-handed hitter, left-handed stance, shortstop Lee Tae-woong. Daegu’s starting shortstop with both offense and defense.

Chun Sang-jin’s senses of sight and hearing were temporarily blocked.

Instead, the vast amount of data about the batters that had been accumulated in his head began to emerge one by one.

‘Shortstop Lee Tae-woong… 178cm and 75kg, right-handed hitter, left-handed stance, unmarried, recently having frequent fights with his girlfriend and under stress, enjoys eating spicy food when his personal life is not going well. But he has a bad stomach, so he often has diarrhea when he eats spicy food. He used to hit outside high fastballs well, but recently his balance has been disrupted, and he tends to stick close to the plate because he knows that pitchers are focusing on attacking the outside. If he has a smiling face in the first plate appearance, he watches the balls calmly, but when his expression is hardened, he doesn’t hesitate to go for the first pitch.’

His brain is spinning furiously, quickly searching for the information his owner needs.

This is what he actually did, the thing he was misunderstood for doing all night on social media.

After being notified that he would be starting in today’s game, he searched all of Daegu’s batters and their relatives, friends, and girlfriends’ social media whenever he had time and collected information.

Just by looking at him, he looks like someone who would upload his pictures on social media and collect followers, but Chun Sang-jin’s purpose for using social media was only one:

An analysis tool to grasp the recent psychological state of the opposing batter.

Most of the information he collected was useless, but some of it was useful enough to use.

For example, Lee Tae-woong, who is currently at the plate, has been fighting with his girlfriend frequently recently and is under stress, and he ate spicy food that he couldn’t digest well to relieve that stress, and he is ready to do anything to reconcile with his girlfriend.

Chun Sang-jin, who found the information he needed in his head, checked Lee Tae-woong’s expression again.

A batter with a hardened expression, sticking close to the innermost part of the batter’s box.

Combining the existing information and the current batter’s movements, Lee Tae-woong is likely to want to take a quick win for dinner with his girlfriend and to calm his bubbling stomach, and considering his hardened expression, he is likely to be aiming for the outside first pitch.

Of course, it’s not 100%.

However, in the battle between the batter and the pitcher, which is like playing rock-paper-scissors with your eyes closed, each of these pieces of information can come together to form a huge clue.

Chun Sang-jin exchanged signals with Jang Deok-su several times and finally nodded. A faint smile is drawn on his lips.

The relay camera captured his face.

Some of the female fans who were watching the relay screamed as if they were going to faint at his relaxed smile, which was hard to believe given that this was his first appearance in the first team, and he was even handsome.

Chun Sang-jin, who is stepping on the first team mound for the first time in 5 years since joining the team.

The ball was fired from the clean overhand pitching form that he had stubbornly maintained despite the persecution of the pitching coach.

Whoosh

The 140km/h fastball, the fastest ball he could throw while maintaining his control, flew towards the batter’s helmet.

Pow

Lee Tae-woong, who was startled, hurriedly pulled his body back and cursed.

“What the fuck!”

* * *