Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 228

228. The Place I Found Again (4)

As Michael Scott finalized his preparations, the showdown between the two players commenced.

Judging by Scott’s focused expression as he checked Han Gyojin’s signals, one might think he was in a regular season game.

Han Gyojin, working in tandem with Scott, mirrored his seriousness.

After confirming the signals, Scott took a deep breath and unleashed the ball with all his might.

The fastball hurtled toward the strike zone.

So Youngjun’s bat swung with unrestrained force, as if he had been anticipating this very pitch.

Tick!

“Ah… Too bad,” So Youngjun muttered, his face etched with regret, as if he believed he could have connected for a hit.

Moments later, Scott’s second pitch came blazing in.

Whack!

“Ball!” So Youngjun held back his swing as the fastball sailed high.

One ball, one strike.

Scott and Han Gyojin exchanged signals with meticulous care.

Scott nodded in immediate understanding at Han Gyojin’s signal and prepared to pitch.

The ball left Scott’s hand, arcing slightly before plummeting sharply toward the ground.

Thud!

The changeup was so dramatic that it bounced before reaching Han Gyojin’s mitt.

So Youngjun flinched but refrained from swinging.

“Ball!” Scott, initially showing disappointment at the lack of a swing, locked eyes with So Youngjun and offered a smile.

Two balls, one strike.

Scott inhaled deeply and delivered another pitch according to Han Gyojin’s signal.

Whack!

The ball seemed destined for the strike zone but then sharply veered outside.

So Youngjun remained motionless, as if anticipating the break.

“Ball!” Surprise flickered across Scott’s face at So Youngjun’s unwavering stance.

Three balls, one strike.

Since this wasn’t an official game, a walk wouldn’t have been a major issue.

However, Scott seemed determined to avoid even that.

Whack!

“Strike!” It was the fastest fastball he had thrown all day.

Before anyone realized it, the count was full: three balls and two strikes.

Now, So Youngjun’s expression mirrored the gravity of the situation.

Soon, the pitch that could decide the entire showdown was released.

Whoosh-

“Strike out!” So Youngjun’s bat swung and missed the sharply breaking splitter.

“Wow, fantastic!” Scott, on the mound, pumped his fist in elation.

“Ah, I should have expected that. The drop was significant,” So Youngjun conceded, his face reflecting disappointment.

He then faced off against other batters.

Even though it wasn’t the regular season, Scott’s pitches packed a punch.

Perhaps because their batting senses hadn’t fully returned, the batters struggled to make solid contact.

The players’ mini-game concluded.

* * *

As I spent more time with the players, I gained a deeper understanding of their individual styles and situations. Even without the information window [referring to a game-like interface the narrator uses], I could anticipate their concerns.

Even with the players training together, the training methods were tailored to each person’s unique needs and style.

Najunho, Go Jihun, and Donald Watson, seasoned veteran players, required minimal assistance from Jung Ingyu and me. They were adept at managing their condition and training independently.

Our primary role was setting up and overseeing their training programs.

Michael Scott, So Youngjun, Seo Sungmin, Park Sungju, Jang Sooyoung, and Choi Junghwan didn’t need technical advice.

However, as they were still refining their self-regulation skills, we offered guidance only when necessary.

I dedicated a significant amount of time to Choi Woojin.

He typically received extensive personal coaching at the agency’s training center, but this camp provided a rare opportunity for more focused attention.

In particular, it was invaluable for Choi Woojin to receive direct instruction from Go Jihun and other top domestic pitchers.

He also engaged in systematic and intense weight training to enhance his velocity.

Additionally, Oh Seokhoon, whose recovery from injury was paramount, received specialized care.

Throughout the training camp, he was carefully separated from the other players to prevent overexertion, while still completing essential training.

As a result, by the end of the camp, he was in good enough shape to participate in spring training.

Before we knew it, our agency’s second training camp, spanning three weeks, drew to a close.

So Youngjun, true to form, became sentimental and reluctant to leave Guam.

Only after resolving to achieve a career-best season and secure ample free time was he able to depart with some reluctance.

Even after returning from the agency’s training camp, the players continued their preparations for the club’s spring training.

Fueled by their hard work during the camp, everyone seemed energized.

Oh Seokhoon, in particular, intensified his weight training to build strength.

His goal was to increase his slugging power [a baseball statistic measuring a batter’s power] compared to his previous performance.

The increased muscle mass was evident, and the batted balls carried more force.

To prevent hamstring strains from overdoing the strength training, he was closely monitored by Jung Ingyu.

Just before spring training commenced, an article surfaced, creating a buzz in the usually quiet baseball news.

└It’s a shame that I can’t see him play in Korea, but do well in the United States.

└I was wondering what would happen if Kang Hyunwoo managed him, but I won’t be able to see that.

└There was talk that Dream Agency was going to sign him, but why didn’t they?

└I know. Kang Hyunwoo even came to see Ahn Bumseok pitch several times. He wouldn’t have gone if he didn’t intend to sign him. There’s no way he would have thought his performance was lacking and decided not to sign him.

└He must have decided to go straight to the major leagues. If he was thinking of staying in Korea, there’s no way he wouldn’t have.

└In that case, I’ll have to watch Choi Woojin next year. He’s definitely gotten better since joining Dream Agency.

└To be honest, I don’t think he’s the top pick in the draft yet, but I think he’ll be picked in the first round. I don’t know how much potential he has, but I’m sure he’ll do well since Kang Hyunwoo chose him.

└It’ll be interesting to see who does better between Ahn Bumseok and Choi Woojin in the future, lol [laughing out loud].

└Who will be the future ace pitcher for the national team?

* * *

As January transitioned into February, the players departed the agency’s dorm to join their respective clubs for spring training.

The usually vibrant dorm and training center felt strangely quiet.

Choi Woojin was the only player still training there.

He was undergoing intensive training with Jung Ingyu, continuing the momentum from the training camp.

“One more.”

“Ughhhhh!”

“Just one more!” Choi Woojin strained, his voice rising with each repetition as he worked out with Jung Ingyu.

“Okay, let’s take a break,” Jung Ingyu announced.

“Huff. Huff. Huff.” Choi Woojin, having exerted all his strength, collapsed onto the floor.

I approached them.

“Is training over for now?”

“We’ll rest briefly, do some pitching, and then wrap up,” Jung Ingyu replied, speaking for Choi Woojin, who seemed too exhausted to respond.

“Huff. Huff. CEO [Chief Executive Officer], I think I’m going to collapse. Huff. Huff,” Choi Woojin managed to say between gasps.

“Coach Jung is toughening Woojin up.”

“He won’t regret this later,” Jung Ingyu said with a smile, glancing at Choi Woojin, who was still catching his breath.

The rest period was short-lived.

Before his sweat had even dried, Choi Woojin moved to the pitching practice area.

He warmed up with Jung Ingyu and prepared to pitch.

Then, he began pitching in earnest.

Whack!

140km/h [approximately 87 mph].

Whack!

141km/h [approximately 88 mph].

Whack!

143km/h [approximately 89 mph].

The fastball velocity was consistently in the low 140s km/h range.

And Choi Woojin’s impeccable control remained intact.

Whack!

“Wow!” I exclaimed, unable to contain my surprise at the number displayed on the speed gun.

145km/h [approximately 90 mph]!

It was Choi Woojin’s highest velocity yet, albeit unofficial.

“Wow, that felt really good when I threw that one,” Choi Woojin said, his eyes wide with excitement.

“The speed just now was 145km/h!”

“Wow, that’s amazing,” Jung Ingyu said, clapping his hands as he approached.

“Did I really throw 145km/h?” Choi Woojin asked me, his expression incredulous.

“Really. And none of your fastballs today fell below 140km/h,” I confirmed, showing him the speed gun reading.

“Wow. I can’t believe I can really throw 140km/h. It’s unbelievable.”

“At this rate, you’ll be over 150km/h [approximately 93 mph] before long, right?”

“Me throwing 150km/h? Nah, I don’t think that’s possible,” Choi Woojin chuckled.

“There’s no reason why you can’t. It’s not like there aren’t any pitchers who throw 150km/h.”

“Isn’t that something only Scott and Junghwan can do? Those guys throw close to 160km/h [approximately 99 mph]. They’re just monsters.”

“Scott and Junghwan didn’t throw 150km/h from the beginning, did they? You can do it too, Woojin.”

“Wow. If I could really throw 150km/h, I wouldn’t have any more wishes,” Choi Woojin said, his voice filled with excitement.

“If you’re a left-handed pitcher who throws 150km/h with good control, there’s no way you can’t be an ace pitcher.”

I patted Choi Woojin on the shoulder.

“I should ask Scott and Junghwan how they did it next time I see them.”

“I want to face Woojin once,” I said, suddenly curious about the feeling of facing his pitches from the batter’s box.

“Oh, that’d be fun. Coach, can we do it?” Choi Woojin asked Jung Ingyu.

“Of course,” Jung Ingyu replied.

Choi Woojin and I headed to the batter’s box and the mound.

Wearing a helmet and protective gear, I approached the batter’s box with a bat.

Since Choi Woojin was a left-handed pitcher with good control, the chances of him hitting me were extremely low.

“Hoo-” Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but feel my heart beating faster.

“I’m going to pitch now!”

“Okay,” I nodded to Choi Woojin and assumed my batting stance.

Choi Woojin threw the first pitch without hesitation.

Whack!

“Ooh!” I exclaimed.

“Strike!” Jung Ingyu, watching from behind the batter’s box, called out.

The pitch looked so far outside that I thought it was definitely a ball, but it caught the edge of the strike zone.

I focused on the next pitch.

Tick!

“Strike!” It was difficult to make solid contact with the ball coming in so far outside.

“Hoo-” My mind raced with possibilities.

I should give up on the inside pitches and focus solely on the outside ones.

Another pitch left Choi Woojin’s hand.

This pitch was heading toward the center.

I initially thought it was a mistake, but then the speed suddenly decreased.

Whoosh-

I couldn’t react to the changeup because I was anticipating the fastball.

“Wow!” I exclaimed, giving Choi Woojin a thumbs up.

Three-pitch strikeout.

It was a complete defeat.

I couldn’t help but eagerly anticipate what Choi Woojin would accomplish this season.