Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 14

Mound Villain – Episode 14

Mound Villain Episode 14

3 innings, no runs, 1 hit.

That was Ha-sung’s performance in his first game.

“If it weren’t for that one hit, it would have been perfect.”

Jameson examined the game details closely.

“Average speed of 94 mph. Maximum speed of 99 mph, with only a fastball. Control is good up to the mid-90s, but tends to waver above 97 mph.”

Ha-sung’s pitching in his first game was astonishing.

“Even for Single-A, getting two outs with six pitches is incredible.”

It’s a record that’s hard to come by, especially in Single-A.

“Because he’s not fully developed, unexpected errors are likely. He might get help from the defense, but they could also be a burden.”

Plus, it was bases loaded with one out.

The defense couldn’t be fully trusted.

The best-case scenario was just one thing.

For the pitcher to get two outs on his own.

“And he did it.”

He got the batter out with aggressive pitching.

The highlight was definitely when he faced the second batter.

“The impact of the first pitch after coming on was intense, so the subsequent batter had that pitch imprinted in his mind.”

You can attribute meaning to everything.

But the answer is unknown.

“I wonder if he thought that far ahead when he threw it?”

I was curious.

I could ask, but that’s not what’s important right now.

“For now, it’s a passing grade. If he pitches well for two or three more games like this…….”

Jameson checked the list.

“He can go up to Double-A.”

Suddenly, what he had said came to mind.

[I like Baek Young-ho more.]

I could understand what that meant.

It was a declaration that he would pass through the minor leagues as quickly as Baek Young-ho had.

‘Can he really do that?’

If that happens, Major League Baseball will see the return of Baek Young-ho.

* * *

The first game was perfect.

“The ball was thrown to the desired location.”

Arriving at the accommodation, Ha-sung lightly massaged his shoulder.

“And no fatigue accumulated.”

Throwing the ball accumulates fatigue in the shoulder.

Accumulated fatigue turns into damage and ruins the shoulder.

It’s okay now, but repeated pitching will eventually ruin his shoulder.

“He’s still growing. There’s no need to overwork his shoulder.”

The human body continues to grow, on average, until the mid-20s.

A growing body can be damaged at any time if not properly managed.

“I’m working to get out of the starting lineup, so they must have noticed.”

Today, Ha-sung pitched 3 innings.

Of those, he threw pitches over the mid-90s mph for 2 innings.

He showed a decrease in speed and wavering control while facing the 7th batter.

“Surely no one will notice that I staged it that way.”

Anyone who heard that would be shocked.

He should be looking for opportunities, but instead, he’s staging a shaky performance?

But Ha-sung had a plan for showing that kind of performance.

“Even in Oakland, the starters are already set. It’s quite difficult to break into that. But as a middle reliever or closer…….”

Ha-sung staged that scene for two reasons.

One was to delay the damage that would accumulate as a starter.

The second was the current roster situation of the Oakland Athletics.

“I can definitely get in.”

They lack middle relievers for the starting lineup.

He could break into that within this season.

He’s aiming for that and showing it to the instructor.

He’s telling them that he’s a pitcher suited for middle relief.

“I won’t let them think of me as a starter.”

* * *

A monster appeared in the Blaze.

Pow-!!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

The monster pressured the batter with a fastball in the high 90s mph.

More than anything, he showed a willingness to face batters head-on, drawing the attention of fans.

“Oh! He got another strikeout.”

“Is that 7 strikeouts in a row?”

“A pitcher like that in the Blaze.”

“Won’t we be seeing him in the Major League soon?”

The residents of Bakersfield started coming to the stadium one by one to see the monster that appeared in the Blaze.

“Good job!!”

“He’s not avoiding anyone!”

“It’s fun to watch a guy like that in the Blaze games!”

Those who support the Single-A team thought that the players could leave at any time.

So they watched the players with the mindset of developing them.

“Hmph!!”

Whoosh-!!

Pow!!

“Strike!!”

With a crisp sound, Ha-sung threw a strike against the next batter as well.

The instructor watched that closely.

‘Today is his 6th appearance. In the previous games, his control and power have wavered after the 3rd inning.’

He looked over the data and checked his previous performance and training data.

‘Looking at the training data, there are no major problems in terms of stamina. But the performance shows that he can’t last long innings. This must be a problem with concentration.’

There are occasionally pitchers of that type.

Players who can’t last long innings but show untouchable performances in short innings.

Those guys are perfect for being brought up as closers or middle relievers.

Tap!!

“Mike!!”

As expected, the ball started getting hit by the bat from the seventh batter.

But it was a fly ball that didn’t leave the infield.

Thud!

“Out!!”

The second baseman easily caught it and ended the inning.

Watching that, Jameson wrote something down on the record sheet.

‘This pitch had wavering control, but the power was still there. So the ball didn’t reach the outfield. But in the Major League, even those balls will fly to the outfield if hit.’

What he wrote on the record sheet was his comment.

‘It seems better to develop Jung Ha-sung with the intention of making him a middle reliever or closer from the start, rather than a starter.’

His role was to watch the players grow and promote them from Single-A to Double-A when appropriate.

From his perspective, there was no reason for Ha-sung to stay in Single-A any longer.

‘The first step went as he said.’

Saying he liked Baek Young-ho more.

It was the moment he successfully took the first step to keep that promise.

* * *

The next day.

Ha-sung packed his bags.

‘Has it been a month?’

Exactly one month since the season started.

Ha-sung was able to leave this shabby motel.

‘Not a bad start.’

Everything was progressing step by step according to his plan.

‘It might get a little harder from Double-A onwards.’

Comparing Single-A to Korean professional baseball, it was about 2.5th tier level [slightly above the second-tier league].

A place where players who have difficulty playing in the 2nd tier gather.

Players with potential but not yet equipped with the basics gather and play games.

Even if you dominate there, going up to the 1st tier is another story.

“Now the real start begins.”

He finished putting his clothes in and prepared to leave.

* * *

Baek Joon-gi was staying in the United States to cover Major League Baseball.

‘As expected, Oakland is underperforming again this year.’

The stadium he came to cover today was Yankee Stadium, the home of the New York Yankees.

The Yankees’ opponent was the Oakland Athletics, and the game was already tilted before the 5th inning.

‘The starter collapsed early, and the score is already 7 to 0.’

True to their nickname as the Evil Empire [a nickname for the New York Yankees, referring to their high payroll and dominance], the Yankees were once again candidates for the division title this season.

The season, which began with the appointment of a new manager named Joe Girardi, had a smooth start.

‘Today, Oakland will only be prey for the Yankees.’

Baek Joon-gi rechecked Oakland’s lineup.

‘The starters aren’t bad. The problem is the bullpen that supports them. If the starter suddenly collapses like today, the bullpen is weak, so they can’t hold out.’

In modern baseball, where the division of labor is established, the importance of the bullpen cannot be overstated.

The standings can change depending on whether there is a strong bullpen or not.

‘Come to think of it, how is Ha-sung doing these days?’

Since he started in Single-A, it will take quite some time for Ha-sung to come up to the Major League.

So it was easier to collect information about him at once.

‘Oakland’s Single-A minor league team is…… Bakersfield Blaze.’

He connected to the internet and accessed the Blaze’s homepage.

He went into the recent game records and checked the players who participated.

But no matter how much he checked, Ha-sung’s name was not visible.

‘Hasn’t he been able to play in the game yet? That can’t be.’

With Ha-sung’s skills, he should have already pitched in Single-A.

But he’s not visible?

Then, in the past game records, Ha-sung’s first name was visible.

‘He was here. He came up as the third pitcher and pitched 2 and 2/3 innings without giving up a run. No hits and 5 strikeouts.’

Even though it was Single-A, it was an overwhelming performance.

‘With this performance, they would have tested him as a starter. Why isn’t he visible in the subsequent games?’

Baek Joon-gi checked the Blaze’s roster.

“Huh?”

But he couldn’t find Ha-sung’s name there.

Puzzled, he checked the Blaze’s number and made a call.

‘The internet is too inconvenient. The phone is still the best.’

It’s only been a few months since Baek Joon-gi switched to a smartphone.

He still preferred analog, so he chose the phone.

[Yes. Bakersfield Blaze.]

“Ah, I’m Baek Joon-gi, a reporter from Korea. I’m calling because I have a question. Jung Ha-sung, who belongs to the Blaze, is not registered on the homepage roster.”

[Ah~ Jung? He’s going up to Double-A and has left the team.]

“Yes? Promotion?”

[Yes. Wow~ I’ve never seen a player go up so quickly. But with what he showed, I can’t help but be convinced.]

The employee poured out praise.

‘What kind of performance did he show in the Blaze?’

He felt pathetic for taking his eyes off him even for a moment.

“Do you have any footage of his pitching? And I’d like to check the detailed records as well.”

[We can’t release either of those materials to the outside. You’ll have to come in person to see them…….]

“I understand. I’ll leave now.”

Baek Joon-gi got up from his seat as he answered.

* * *

The place he arrived after leaving the Blaze was Midland, Texas.

“Ugh~ I’m stiff.”

Sitting in economy class was quite difficult for the large Ha-sung.

“Still, where else would I get to ride a plane? Jameson took good care of me, so it’s a plane, but originally it would have been a bus.”

In his previous life, he had driven from California to Texas just once.

Thinking about how he drove for 1 night and 2 days to get there, it was an experience that made him want to throw up.

He wanted to thank Jameson for saving him from doing that again.

“This is Texas.”

Midland was a small town with a population of about 130,000.

“Midland RockHounds. It’s a pretty prestigious team.”

The Midland RockHounds were a Double-A team affiliated with the Athletics.

The RockHounds were founded in 1972, and they signed a contract with the Athletics in 1999.

In other words, it’s a team that has been under contract with the Athletics for 10 years.

“They must have a system in place.”

He had to start anew here.

Then a well-built man approached him.

“Are you Jung Ha-sung?”

“Yes.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Tony from the RockHounds. I came to pick you up.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“I heard you were Asian. You’re quite big.”

“You have to be this big to play in the Major League.”

“Haha! You have great ambition. Shall we talk as we go?”

“Yes.”

Ha-sung followed Tony out of the airport.