The Pitcher Just Hits Home Runs Well [EN]: Chapter 206

206. New Record (2)

When people discuss the advancement of sports science, they often focus solely on sophisticated equipment. While there’s some truth to that, as the development of advanced devices allows for more detailed observations,

what’s even more crucial is, surprisingly, the human element.

The Daejeon Griffins in the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] were among the few teams in the NPB [Nippon Professional Baseball, the Japanese professional league] that recognized and prioritized this ‘people’ aspect. Their general manager, Kang Ji-woo, and the head of their power analysis team, Charlie Kim, had spent an impressive 13 years working for the Houston Astros before returning to Korea.

“How can I explain it simply? Think of it like the weather forecast. That’s an easy analogy.”

“Excuse me? The weather forecast, all of a sudden?”

“When you look at a weather forecast, it seems like a supercomputer is providing all the answers. But in reality, that supercomputer is just a tool. The important part is the people who interpret the data and create algorithms based on that interpretation. It’s the same for us. The equipment? It’s a bit expensive, but considering the budget of KBO clubs, it’s manageable. The real challenge is finding people who can operate it effectively. You have no idea how much effort we invested in recruiting David and Matthew because of this…”

“I see, but that’s just the skill of operating the equipment. Can’t anyone learn that?”

“Sigh, yes, you can learn any skill at an academy. But can someone who learns at an academy immediately apply it effectively in the field? Skills don’t develop that quickly. It’s a bit of an exaggeration to compare them to doctors, but they also dedicate over 10 years to properly master their craft. That’s how skills work. Moreover, there are only a few places that truly utilize this technology effectively, like in Major League Baseball. The technology isn’t readily available.”

“So, are you saying it’s okay to underpay the new recruits we’re going to hire?”

Griffin’s general manager, Kang Ji-woo, clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“Tsk, typical HR. That’s the conclusion you draw from all this? No, what I’m saying is, hire kids with strong academic backgrounds and grades, who are as smart as possible, and most importantly, who are passionate fans of the Griffins. That way, they’ll learn the technology quickly and stay with us long-term without jumping to another company.”

“Then what about the salary?”

“Don’t skimp on it. They’re crucial personnel. If the work is demanding and the pay is low, their fandom won’t sustain them for long.”

“But, General Manager, I have a question. Does this mean our team is the only one in the KBO that’s properly utilizing this technology?”

***

The second game in September.

The starting pitcher for the second game against the Phoenix was, surprisingly, Kwak Jae-young, recently called up from the minors. He was once hailed as the ace of the Marines, but that was when he could throw at 150 km/h [kilometers per hour, approximately 93 mph]. Now, even with maximum effort, his top speed is only around 141 km/h [approximately 88 mph]. His average speed hovers in the late 130s [approximately mid-80s mph].

Frankly, most people believed a comeback was impossible.

In fact, even before my time-traveling escapade, he stubbornly remained in the first team as a bullpen pitcher until the 2027 season. From the 2028th season onward, he bounced between the first and second teams before retiring at the end of that season.

But surprisingly, he performed better than expected in the Futures League [KBO’s minor league], and after transitioning back to a starting pitcher, he pitched 13.1 scoreless innings in the two games before being called up to the first team as an expanded roster addition.

And now, today’s game against the Phoenix.

-Thwack!!

“Strike!! Out!!!”

He allowed a hit in the top of the first inning but managed to secure a strikeout and keep the score at zero.

“Wow, what’s with Jae-young’s pitches? Did his spin rate increase or something?”
“I know, right? They say they brought in all sorts of equipment to Sangdong [location of the Marines’ minor league facilities] for nurturing promising players, so maybe it had an effect?”

Lee Jung-hoon and Jung Ji-woon, returning to the dugout, were engaging in lighthearted banter.

There are varying opinions on whether spin rate can be significantly improved through artificial training, but theoretically, it’s possible.

Why wouldn’t it be? Someone who can’t even do one pull-up can manage 10 after a few months of training. But it’s another question whether someone who used to do 50 pull-ups with intense training can increase that to 70 or 80 with a little more effort. In that sense, I also believe that significantly increasing spin rate through training, rather than through artificial means, is unlikely.

However, regardless of that, I don’t believe Kwak Jae-young’s pitches have improved solely because his spin rate has increased.

Baek Ha-min, who started as a pitcher yesterday, joined the conversation.

“I heard they adjusted his axis of rotation.”

“Axis of rotation?”

“Yes, I mean, Jae-young was always good on days when he was ‘feeling it.’ So…”

“Ah, wait a minute. It’s our turn to bat. Raon is up. Tell me about it later when I get back.”

“Yes.”

Today’s lead-off hitter is Kang Raon.

And Lee Jung-hoon is batting second.

As the summer heat began to subside, Kang Raon’s batting cycle gradually improved, and recently, his batting sense has sharpened enough to record multiple hits again.

-Clang!!!

[First pitch!! Kang Raon connects!! Oh Min-yeop chases after it!! A slightly off hit!! Kang Raon safely reaches first base!!]

[He attacked Phoenix’s ace, Lim Kwang-hyung, aggressively on the first pitch.]

Indeed, Lim Kwang-hyung seemed to be struggling. He’s thirty-six years old this year. Although he rested well last year due to rehabilitation, he pitched consistently throughout July and August, during the record-breaking heat, so it’s no surprise he’s exhausted.

And now, Lee Jung-hoon, the second hitter.

Lim Kwang-hyung’s first pitch.

Certainly, as a pitcher who achieved legendary results in the KBO and even played in the Big League [Major League Baseball], his slide step [a quick delivery to prevent runners from stealing] was incredibly smooth. It’s admirable how little his command wavers while using that pitching motion. When I was just a hitter, I focused more on the power of the changeup, but now that I’m also a pitcher, I pay more attention to details like that.

Lee Jung-hoon swung his bat.

It seemed like he was going to capitalize on Lim Kwang-hyung’s apparent shakiness, but it was a trap.

-Clang!!

A subtle changeup.

His timing and hitting point were completely thrown off.

A ground ball to the shortstop.

Phoenix’s shortstop, Oh Min-yeop, quickly fielded the ball.

A 6-4-3 double play.

Lee Jung-hoon returned to the dugout with a frustrated expression.

If it were the old Lee Jung-hoon, he would have just joked around in this situation, but he seemed genuinely upset, perhaps because his recent batting performance hadn’t been great.

“Hey, let’s take it easy today.”

“Are you guys who are saying ‘let’s take it easy’ getting two outs with two pitches?”

“Kwang-hyung is getting old, so it’s hard for him to pitch for a long time.”

“Then please just give us one right down the middle. Isn’t a first-pitch home run more comfortable than throwing a lot of pitches and getting hit with a home run?”

“Wouldn’t a first-pitch infield fly be even more comfortable? It’s better than having to face Hyung-wook in the first inning.”

Light banter with Jung Byung-chul.

Lim Kwang-hyung on the mound remained expressionless. Some people say that Lim Kwang-hyung’s speed is now in the late 140s [kilometers per hour, approximately 87-89 mph], and in terms of raw power, it’s far superior to mine or even that 학폭 [school violence perpetrator] guy. Well, if the power of the ball is determined solely by how quickly it reaches the catcher’s mitt, that might be true. But in baseball, a pitcher’s power isn’t that simple.

A high pitch, just inside.

No, a little further outside than that.

It was a very quick tempo.

In other words, while not a full slide step, it felt about one-third faster than the regular windup he used against Kang Raon.

-Clang!!!

[A massive foul ball lands in the third base infield stands!!]

“Wow, what was that?”

“What do you mean? It was a fastball.”

“No, not that. Are you telling me that the pitch you threw to Raon earlier was a setup pitch?”

No wonder.

The first pitch that Lim Kwang-hyung threw to Kang Raon seemed too ordinary and predictable for Lim Kwang-hyung. I just assumed he was struggling due to the recent heat, but he was manipulating the pitching tempo.

Second pitch.

Lim Kwang-hyung on the mound winds up.

***

-Tsk.

Lim Kwang-hyung clicked his tongue.

Damn monster.

Again, such monsters were rare even in the Big League. Only when players destined to leave their mark on the league’s history are at their peak, or when an All-Star player is having an exceptionally hot streak, do you see that level of performance.

Just now, he was prepared to concede a hit to Kang Raon, an All-Star-caliber hitter in the KBO, and threw a deceptive pitch. It was a convincing pitch because he had recently ruined a game due to poor condition. On top of that, he was fortunate enough to get a double play on Lee Jung-hoon’s first pitch.

In fact, that monster’s batting timing was perfectly synchronized with the slower tempo he had shown earlier. But even so, he managed to send the ball all the way into the infield stands.

His power is incredible, but his bat control is truly insane. And what about his body balance? Even in a completely off-balance situation, he manages to generate power until the very end.

‘I wanted to get through the first inning a little easier.’

If this had worked, I could have gotten a free out.

Second pitch.

The two-seam fastball that I’ve been enjoying using again lately.

It’s a low pitch on the outside corner. Ordinary hitters struggle to react properly to this pitch, which follows a high four-seam fastball on the inside.

-Clang!!!

Of course, that monster is different.

I didn’t expect him to swing in the first place.

So I threw it slightly outside the strike zone. That monster’s only ‘weakness’ is that his strike zone is abnormally wide. No, it’s not even a weakness. He maintains such a wide zone against KBO pitchers and still hits home runs.

But he was Lim Kwang-hyung.

A pitcher who was once considered a league-ace-level starter even in the majors.

I’ve set him up perfectly to this point, so the count is 0-2 with this foul ball. Now, I just need to challenge him with my next decisive pitch. His changeup is almost indistinguishable from the two-seam, and it’s like the grim reaper to right-handed hitters.

So… So…

Lim Kwang-hyung’s eyes widened as he turned his head.

The batted ball, showing no signs of curving foul towards the right-field foul pole, continues to travel.

But somehow, the trajectory of the batted ball was strange. Clearly, that was a two-seam that should have gone foul even if Mike Trout [famous MLB player] had hit it, but why is it…

[Does it go over!! Does it go over!! It goes over!! Choi Soo-won!! Season 48th home run!! Choi Soo-won hits his forty-eighth home run of the season against Lim Kwang-hyung!!]

[Wow, that was a two-seam that was completely out of the zone. A home run against that. If I were still active, my mentality would have been completely shattered. Lim Kwang-hyung is even smiling with an incredulous expression.]

[Choi Soo-won. Now, he’s only eight home runs away from the KBO record. There are 25 games left, including today’s game. It’s a truly amazing pace.]

[Now, the score is 0-1. The Marines are leading by one point.]

[But the Phoenix should never give up easily here. The Marines started Kwak Jae-young, who just returned from the second team, while the Phoenix started Lim Kwang-hyung, their ace. With the competition for fifth place being so intense, the Phoenix must win today’s game.]

The game continued.