150 km + national team experience… So, the more anticipated 3rd year of Hanwha Transformer
In the second season in the pro, pitcher Kim Gyu-yeon (21, Hanwha Eagles) in 2022 had an unforgettable year. The 2023 season is expected in many ways, including the redemption that has been raised to 150 km per hour and the experience of the national team.
Kim Gyu-yeon joined Hanwha with the 72nd overall pick in the 2nd round of the 8th round of the 2021 KBO League Rookie Draft. His first year as a pro gave him experience in the Futures League. He switched positions from shortstop to pitcher in his senior year of high school, so he needed a bit more time to adjust.
Kim Kyu-yeon received a lot of expectations in earnest from last year’s spring camp. He took a chance in his exhibition game, and joined his first opening entry in his career, recording an average ERA of 2.08 in 4 games and 4⅓ innings. The expectations of the actual team were also high. On Media Day ahead of the 2022 season, infielder Noh Si-hwan (23) picked Kim Gyu-yeon after Moon Dong-joo (20) as a junior pitcher who is expected to play an active part, and praised him, saying, “He is a young player, but he has ambition and control.” 카지노
As much as his expectation, the pitching that was not intimidated in the first team attracted attention. After the opening, he appeared in 8 games for a month and raised 1 hold, recording an average ERA of 3.52 in 7⅔ innings, proving his potential.
His first-team final performance was 12 games, 1 hold, 13⅔ innings, and an average ERA of 5.27. It was regrettable that he could not continue his early impact, but it was a season that proved his potential. In the Futures League, he also played a key role in the bullpen, recording 4 holds and 5 saves.
When he showed his potential, he was honored to wear the national team uniform. Last year, he was included in the national team roster for the ‘4th U-23 World Baseball Championship’ held in Taiwan and experienced international competitions. Korea remained runner-up, but Kim Kyu-yeon took the mound in 4 games and showed off her presence by recording 1 win, 3⅔1 innings, 1 hit and 5 strikeouts.
He also stood out for his increased speed. It was a moment when a strong shoulder became an advantage as a shortstop. He raised his speed to 150 km and showed potential as a fastball pitcher. He also impressed with his breaking pitches, such as the slider and splitter that support his fastball.
It hasn’t been long since he started pitching in earnest, but Kim Kyu-yeon is more than that. So, I wonder what kind of activity Kim Gyu-yeon, who is more anticipated, will perform in his third year as a pro.
