Encouragement from the 34-year-old KIA catcher, Jung Hae-young's SV and self-confidence are growing

"It's the best ball I've ever received" Encouragement from the 34-year-old KIA catcher, Jung Hae-young's SV and self-confidence are growing

"It's the best I've ever received."

KIA's super insider catcher Kim Tae-gun (34) said he hoped KIA pitchers would play rough. He also did not forget to trust him and follow him. He is famous for his friendly catcher, but he doesn't always say nice things to players.

Kim Tae-gun recently left a supportive message to closer Jung Hae-young (22). First of all, it should be because Jung Hae-young's ball was really good. Jung Hae-young won a series of perfect saves in one inning against Hanwha in Gwangju on the 25th and 27th. It was the so-called 'quickness'.

In particular, the fastball reached 146 kilometers in the game on the 27th. According to Statistics, a baseball statistics site, the average fastball this season is 144.2 kilometers. It fell from 144.6 kilometers last year, raising concerns. No matter how much it is said to be a closure that feeds on rotational speed and vertical movement, it is true that a drop in basic speed adversely affects the ball's power.

After a month of adjustment in the second division at the end of the first half, he recovered with one hold, four saves, and a 1.35 ERA in eight games in July. However, he slowed down again with two saves and one loss and a 4.82 ERA in nine games in August. However, he has been on a scoreless streak for the past five consecutive games, raising his pace.

Pitchers also fluctuate depending on their condition when they play full-time. However, in the case of closers, they can be more stressed because they are positions that show a lot when the results are bad. Jung Hae-young, who met after the game on the 27th, also showed such signs.

In this regard, a word of encouragement from the catcher who receives the ball is a great help to the pitcher. Kim Tae-gun's comment might have included this intention. Jung Hae-young has never neglected weight training or preparation for the game, although he was not in good shape for a while in early August. "I feel like I'm getting rewarded for what I've been preparing," he said.

However, Jung Hae-young honestly said, "I'm nervous." "It was hard because the record was bad in August for the fourth year. "I know, but it's hard to find a breakthrough," he said. At the Daegu Samsung match on the 19th, Lim Ki-young's two-inning save had to be watched in a save situation. Jung Hae-young was able to take the mound at the time. It's just, "Kiyoung blocked it well." "I didn't think much because the team won," he said.

Following Kim Tae-gun, Jung Hae-young recently gained strength from pitching coach Seo Jae-eung. Coach Seo Jae-eung told Jung Hae-young that if you reduce weight training in this hot weather, you should eat good food, and if you are going to do weight training steadily, rest is also important. Change on the mound is not everything.

In this way, Jung Hae-young gained blood and flesh to become a good closer through her seniors and coaches. Perhaps Jung Hae-young believes in his ball and fills up his confidence, which seems as important as saving. "I want to block it neatly by one or two points," he said. You can hit a home run with a 3-point difference. "I want to throw it so that fans can see it comfortably," he said.

Coach Kim Jong-kook did not regain his trust in Jung Hae-young. Jung Hae-young's pace has also risen clearly. With various variables occurring in the starting lineup, the role of the bullpen is expected to be quite important from now on. There is no need to stress the importance of a pitcher who closes the back door at the end. There is plenty of time left to prove Jung Hae-young's value. 토토