Again 196 innings 224K? Post Gwanghyeonjong? Calm KBO best ace… One year twinkle ‘rejection’
“I have to do well for several years to be recognized like senior Kim Gwang-hyun (SSG) and Yang Hyeon-jong (KIA).”
Ahn Woo-jin (Kiwoom)’s thoughts are firm. He still thinks he’s not the best pitcher in the KBO League. I think he is a player who has done well for a year in a big frame. It’s not wrong. It was 2021 when Ahn Woo-jin rose to the top pitcher in the league, but he could not play full-time due to a penalty for violating the Corona 19 quarantine rules at the time.
In the end, the 2022 season with an average ERA of 2.11 with 15 wins and 8 losses in 30 games was the first full-time starting pitcher. For three years after his debut in 2018, he suffered frequent injuries, both large and small, and could not resolve his concerns about his control and command. Considering that a player’s average is evaluated for about 3 years, Ahn Woo-jin should perform as well as the 2022 season for at least 1-2 years. Of course, few doubt this.
As a reporter in charge of watching An Woo-jin from his debut, the present An Woo-jin is definitely different from before. First, the body is different. His upper body is thin, but it has thickened noticeably over the past year or two. Recently met at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, he said, “My body is getting bigger every year. There is no difference in his weight, but his body fat has decreased and his muscle has increased.”
He played a total of 233.2 innings last year, including 11 innings in the exhibition game, 196 innings in the regular season, and 26 and 2 innings in the postseason. He was overwhelmingly number one among all pitchers in the KBO League. Because he threw the ball the longest, there is also a view that he is concerned about injuries this year. This is a case that fits the actual Verducci theory.
However, Ahn Woo-jin said, “I am going as the training team leader gave me a good direction. He has never been sick or uncomfortable. I felt how important off-season workouts are. He did well last year, so he’s sticking to that routine. If you are lazy, injuries can come without notice.” Even in the off-season, at a place called the 54K Center, he consistently digested exercises that fit his body.
Instead, he plans to start bullpen pitching a little late. Most of the pitchers from teams currently camped in Arizona have started pitching in the bullpen for the first time. Starting with the players going to the WBC, schedules were set one after another. However, Ahn Woo-jin said, “I started late last year as well. He intends to do it this year around February 9th or 10th. Pitching after a long time is more tiring than playing a game. He was taken care of.” 토토사이트
In the end, you have to reciprocate sexually. An Woo-jin said, “I try not to rush into practice games and exhibition games. It’s nice to be back in Arizona after a long time since 2019. The exercise environment is so good and the facilities are good. I like to exercise. We need to have a better season than last year. You can only develop if you are not complacent.”
Focus on reducing walks rather than winning, losing, or striking out. The goal of this camp is to “put the ball I want in the desired location”. Although he is a pitcher with command, it is his own principle to continue the good feeling. Ahn Woo-jin said, “(Lee) Jung-hoo also tried not to care about the results as much as possible. Neither do I. I try to pay attention to what I can do.”
However, I want to surpass 196 innings and 224 strikeouts when the opportunity arises. This is because that itself becomes a milestone to upgrade yourself to a higher level. Ahn Woo-jin said, “When the opportunity comes, you must be able to do it unconditionally. I have to throw long innings so that my bullpen brothers can rest as much as possible.”
Players who shine for one year are rejected. Ahn Woo-jin said, “I have to do well for several years without getting sick to be recognized like senior Kim Gwang-hyun and Yang Hyeon-jong. In one season (the best ace in the KBO league), that is absolutely not possible. Jung Hoo-hyung is also recognized because he has been consistently doing well for 5-6 years.”
